Question

What is the greatest common factor of -18x^4y - 9xy^3 + 3xy^2

Answer 1

3xy²

Step-by-step explanation:

`-18x^4y-9xy^3+3xy^2\\=3(-6x^4y-3xy^3+xy^2)\\=3x(-6x^3y-3y^3+y^2)\\=3xy^2(-6x^3-3y+1)`

Therefore,
`3xy^2` is the GCF of the given polynomial

Answer 2

Answer: GCF = 3xy

Step-by-step explanation:

The coefficients are -18, -9, and 3. The GCF of those values is 3 because it's the largest factor in common to each.

• -18 = -6*3
• -9 = -3*3
• 3 = 3*1

The GCF of the x terms is simply x. Take note the smallest exponent for the x terms is 1. The GCF of the y terms is the same idea. Therefore the GCF of the y terms is y.

The GCF pieces are 3, x, and y. All together the GCF is 3xy.