Question 144586: Find the greatest common factor for the group of terms:
-42a^4, 7a^5
Thank you so very much~
Answer by nabla(475)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! First, list the factors:
-42a^4 factors--> 1,2,3,6,7, 14, 21, 42, a*a*a*a
7a^5 factors--> 1,7, a*a*a*a*a
Now, what do the above lists have in common?
1, 7, and a*a*a*a
So, 1*7*a*a*a*a=7a^4.
The negative of 42 is superfluous, meaning it wouldn't really matter, in general, while factoring.
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