Extract the Common Factor from 4x³+8x⁴: Step-by-Step Solution

Factoring Polynomials with Greatest Common Factor

Extract the common factor:

4x3+8x4= 4x^3+8x^4=

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Factor out the greatest common factor
00:07 Breakdown 8 into factors of 4 and 2
00:15 And X raised to the power 4 into factors X cubed and X
00:19 Mark the common factor in the same color
00:33 Take out the common factor from the parentheses
00:39 Write the remaining factors in the same order
00:42 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Extract the common factor:

4x3+8x4= 4x^3+8x^4=

2

Step-by-step solution

First, we use the power law to multiply terms with identical bases:

aman=am+n a^m\cdot a^n=a^{m+n} It is necessary to keep in mind that:

x4=x3x x^4=x^3\cdot x Next, we return to the problem and extract the greatest common factor for the numbers separately and for the letters separately,

For the numbers, the greatest common factor is

4 4 and for the letters it is:

x3 x^3 and therefore for the extraction

4x3 4x^3 outside the parenthesis

We obtain the expression:

4x3+8x4=4x3(1+2x) 4x^3+8x^4=4x^3(1+2x) To determine what the expression inside the parentheses is, we use the power law, our knowledge of the multiplication table, and the answer to the question: "How many times do we multiply the common factor that we took out of the parenthesis to obtain each of the terms of the original expression that we factored?

Therefore, the correct answer is: a.

It is always recommended to review again and check that you get each and every one of the terms of the expression that is factored when opening the parentheses (through the distributive property), this can be done in the margin, on a piece of scrap paper, or by marking the factor we removed and each and every one of the terms inside the parenthesis, etc.

3

Final Answer

4x3(1+2x) 4x^3(1+2x)

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Find GCF of coefficients and lowest power variables separately
  • Technique: 4x3+8x4=4x3(1+2x) 4x^3+8x^4 = 4x^3(1+2x) by factoring out 4x3 4x^3
  • Check: Distribute back: 4x31+4x32x=4x3+8x4 4x^3 \cdot 1 + 4x^3 \cdot 2x = 4x^3+8x^4

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Taking out only part of the greatest common factor
    Don't factor out just x3 x^3 to get x3(4+8x) x^3(4+8x) = incomplete factoring! You missed the numerical GCF of 4. Always find the complete GCF by taking the highest common factor from both coefficients AND variables.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Simplify the following equation:

\( \)\( 4^5\times4^5= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find the GCF when there are both numbers and variables?

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Find the GCF for numbers separately and variables separately. For 4x3+8x4 4x^3+8x^4 : GCF of coefficients 4,8 is 4, and GCF of x3,x4 x^3,x^4 is x3 x^3 . Combined GCF is 4x3 4x^3 .

Why is x3 x^3 the GCF of the variables, not x4 x^4 ?

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Always take the lowest power that appears in all terms. Since we have x3 x^3 and x4 x^4 , the lowest power is x3 x^3 . Remember: x4=x3x x^4 = x^3 \cdot x !

What do I put inside the parentheses after factoring?

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Divide each original term by the GCF you factored out. For 4x3÷4x3=1 4x^3 \div 4x^3 = 1 and 8x4÷4x3=2x 8x^4 \div 4x^3 = 2x , so you get (1+2x).

How can I check if my factoring is correct?

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Use the distributive property to expand your answer back to the original expression. If 4x3(1+2x)=4x3+8x4 4x^3(1+2x) = 4x^3 + 8x^4 matches the original, you're right!

Can the GCF ever be just a number without variables?

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Yes! If one term has no variables (like a constant), the variable part of the GCF would be 1. But in this problem, both terms have x3 x^3 as a factor.

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