SOLUTION: Can this polynomial be factored? 16•a^2-56•xy+49•b^2 or 30•x^3+25•x^2+5y

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Question 624720: Can this polynomial be factored?
16•a^2-56•xy+49•b^2 or
30•x^3+25•x^2+5y
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20054)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
16a²-56xy+49b²

does not factor.  
--------------------------------

However if the xy had been ab, then

16a²-56ab+49b²

would have factored as

(4a-7b)(4a-7b)

(4x-7b)²

------------------------------------

30x³+25x²+5y

factors only by taking out common factor 5

5(6x³+5x²+y)

--------------------------

However if the y had been an x

30x³+25x²+5x would become

5(6x³+5x²+1) which would become

5(3x+1)(2x+1)

These problems were designed to show you that you have to
be careful to look at the variables.

Edwin
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