SOLUTION: Factor completely 12x^3-3xy^2

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Question 62132: Factor completely 12x^3-3xy^2
Answer by 303795(602) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Look for common factors in each term. eg 12 and 3 have a common factor of 3
12x%5E3-3xy%5E2+ Take the common factor 3 out the front of the expression
3%284x%5E3-xy%5E2%29+ A common factor x can also be taken out the front of the brackets
3x%284x%5E2-y%5E2%29+ Now look at the terms in the brackets.
This is a difference of squares 4x%5E2-y%5E2+=+%282x%29%5E2+-+y%5E2+=+%282x+%2B+y%29%282x+-+y%29

So the final factorised solution is 12x%5E3-3xy%5E2+=+3x%282x+%2B+y%29%282x+-+y%29+