Find the GCF of the terms: 72 and -2y^2.
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The GCF of 72 and -2y^2 is 2.
Divide each term by the GCF:
- 72 ÷ 2 = 36
- -2y^2 ÷ 2 = -y^2
Now we have: 2(36 - y^2).
Identify if there is a difference of squares.
- In this case, 36 - y^2 can be factored as (6 - y)(6 + y) since it follows the difference of squares pattern: (a^2 - b^2) = (a - b)(a + b).
Putting it all together, the fully factorized expression is:
2(6 - y)(6 + y).