Chapter 6: Problem 45
Factor each trinomial completely. See Examples 1 through 7. \(6 x^{2} y^{2}-2 x y^{2}-60 y^{2}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( 2y^2(x - 10)(3x + 9) \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Common Factor
Look at each term in the trinomial: - First term: \( 6x^2y^2 \)- Second term: \( -2xy^2 \)- Third term: \( -60y^2 \)Notice that each term contains \( y^2 \) as a common factor. Factor \( y^2 \) out of the entire expression.
02
Factor Out the Common Term
Factor \( y^2 \) from each term:\[ 6x^2y^2 - 2xy^2 - 60y^2 = y^2 (6x^2 - 2x - 60) \]
03
Factor the Remaining Trinomial
Look at the trinomial \( 6x^2 - 2x - 60 \) and determine if it can be factored further. First, observe that there is a common factor of 2:\[ 6x^2 - 2x - 60 = 2(3x^2 - x - 30) \]
04
Factor Completely
Next, factor the quadratic trinomial \( 3x^2 - x - 30 \). Find two numbers that multiply to \( 3 \cdot (-30) = -90 \) and add to \(-1\). These numbers are \( -10 \) and \( 9 \). Rewrite \(-x\) as \(-10x + 9x\) and factor by grouping:\[ 3x^2 - x - 30 = 3x^2 - 10x + 9x - 30 \]\[ = (3x^2 - 10x) + (9x - 30) \]Now factor by grouping:\[ = 1x(3x - 10) + 3(3x - 10) \]\[ = (3x + 3)(x - 10) \]This factors to \((3x + 9)(x - 10)\). Further simplify:\[ 2(3x^2 - x - 30) = 2(x - 10)(3x + 9) \]
05
Final Expression
Now substitute back to include all the factored terms:\[ 6x^2y^2 - 2xy^2 - 60y^2 = y^2 \cdot 2 \cdot (x - 10)(3x + 9) \]Simplify the constant terms:\[ = 2y^2(x - 10)(3x + 9) \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Common Factor
A common factor is a number or expression that divides two or more terms perfectly without leaving a remainder. In the context of factoring trinomials, identifying a common factor is usually the first step. For example, consider the trinomial \(6x^2y^2 - 2xy^2 - 60y^2\):
- The common factor here is \(y^2\). This term is present in all parts of the trinomial and can be pulled out of the expression.
- Once you identify the common factor, factor it out to make the remaining expression simpler.
Quadratic Trinomial
A quadratic trinomial is an expression composed of three terms, with the highest degree term being quadratic. The standard form of a quadratic trinomial is \(ax^2 + bx + c\). In our example, the expression \(6x^2 - 2x - 60\) is a quadratic trinomial.
- To factor a quadratic trinomial, start by identifying patterns or use systematic methods like factoring by grouping or trial and error.
- Quadratic trinomials can often be factored into two binomials, though some may be prime and not factorable by normal means.
Factoring by Grouping
Factoring by grouping is a method used to simplify and ultimately factor complex polynomials. This method works well when an expression can be split into smaller groups that have their own common factors. Let's take a closer look at the expression \(3x^2 - x - 30\).
- Start by rewriting \(-x\) as two terms that add to \(-x\) and multiply to the product of the leading coefficient and the constant term (here, it’s \(-90\)).
- In our example, these numbers are \(-10\) and \(9\), which results in rephrasing the expression as \(3x^2 - 10x + 9x - 30\).