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| Question 181649:   How do I factor this?             4x^3y^5z^2 - 12x^4y^6z^4 + 16x^2y^5z^3
 Answer by solver91311(24713)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 
 Factor:
 
 
   
 You can only extract a factor if it exists in all three terms.  So, for the numerical coefficients, you have 4, -12, and 16:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 2 factors of 2 are common to all three, so take out
   
 Leaving you with:
 
 
 )  
 All terms have at least 2 factors of x, so take out
  , leaving you with: 
 
 )  
 All terms have at least 5 factors of y, so take out
  , leaving you with: 
 
 )  
 Finally, all terms have at least 2 factors of z, so take out
  , leaving you with: 
 
 )  
 As your final answer.
 
 John
 
  
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