SOLUTION: i can figure out how to find the GCF for polynominals. I see what others put as an answer but I dont know how they got it. For example, whats the gcf for iliteral terms: m^7n^4p^3

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Question 846565: i can figure out how to find the GCF for polynominals. I see what others put as an answer but I dont know how they got it. For example, whats the gcf for iliteral terms: m^7n^4p^3 and mn^12p^3
Answer by Theo(13342) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
put multiplication symbols between the variables so you know what's being multiplied by what.

you get:

(m^7 * n^4 * p^3) +/- (m * n^12 * p^3)

you look for the common factor that can be divided into this expression.

that common factor is:

(m * n^4 * p^3)

this is because m divides evenly into m^7 and m,
n^4 divides evenly into n^4 and n^12,
and p^3 divides evenly into p^3 and p^3.

this is also the factor that will be brought out of that original expression after the division has been performed.

your expression will look like this after the division has been performed:

(m * n^4 * p^3) * (m^6 + n^8)

if you multiply these factors together, you will get the original expression.