Greatest common factor(multi-variable)

Question:How do we factor multiple-variable equations?

Their a few steps that you need to know when it comes to factoring multiple-variable equations or equations that look similar to this: 

−15x4y8z3−5x6y4z

1. First you find the biggest number or variable that goes into both of these trinomials also known as the greatest common factor which in this case is 5:

2
Number GCF: 15 and 5→5

2.Then you find the smallest power of x, y and z which is also the GCF as seen below:

X: x^6 and x^4 which is X^4(smallest power)

Y: y^8 and y^4 which is y^4(smallest power) 

−2y4z6−11x3y3z3

Z: z and z^3 which is z(smallest power)

3. Factor out the GCF, dividing it from the two coefficients and subtracting the exponents of each variable. If both terms are negative, factor out the negative.

−5x4y4z(3x4−4y8−4z3−1+x6−4y4−4z1−1)

4. The final factoring will result as...
−5x4y4z(3y4z2+x2

−2y4z6−11x3y3z3

1. First you find the biggest  number or variable that goes into both trinomials also known as the greatest common factor(GCF) which in this equation is 5:

Try It Yourself:

−40x5y4z+35xy7z3

Citations: http://www.deltamath.com/student.html#a

Fun jokes to look at :
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http://tutormeworld.com/web_images/algebra_2_joke.gif

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