Factoring/simplifying this equation by using the GCF method (Greatest Common Factor).

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First, group like terms together: -16x^4y^3+4x^3y^4+36x^4y^4.

The lowest power of x is x^3 and the lowest power of y is y^3, so the highest common xy factor is x^3y^3.

The highest common numerical factor is 4. So the common factor is 4x^3y^3.

Factorisation is:

4x^3y^3(-4x+y+9xy).

We arrive at each term by dividing by the common factor: for example 36x^4y^4 divided by 4x^3y^3 is 9xy because 36/4=9, x^4 divided by x^3 is x and y^4 divided by y^3 is y so the quotient is 9xy. 36x^4y^4=(4x^3y^3)(9xy). The common factor sits outside the brackets and the quotient goes inside.

by Top Rated User (1.2m points)

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