SOLUTION: Factor out the GCF: 15x^2y^3-20xy^2+5xy I really have no clue and I don't know how to factor out the greatest common factor (I'm assuming thats what it means ?)

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Question 22808: Factor out the GCF:
15x^2y^3-20xy^2+5xy
I really have no clue and I don't know how to factor out the greatest common factor (I'm assuming thats what it means ?)
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Yes, that's what GCF means...Greatest Common Factor.
Factor out the GCF:

Look at the three terms to find a common element. First, all of the coefficients (the integers in front of the variables) are divisible by 5, so 5 is a factor of these integers.
Now look at the variables for a common factor. They all have at least one x and one y, so xy would be a factor. So you can factor out the 5 and the xy to get:

To check the answer, just multiply the by the and you should get back what you started with. Try it!