Factoring trinomials: x^5y^3 - 9x^4y^2 + 20x^3y

[RebeccaHayes7]

x^5y^3 - 9x^4y^2 + 20x^3y
(x^4y^2)
x^20y^6 - 9x^16y^4 + 20x^12y^2
I really have no idea how to do this and I have been reading ,my book and still can't figure it out
I need help thanks

 

[stapel]

x^5y^3 - 9x^4y^2 + 20x^3y
(x^4y^2)
x^20y^6 - 9x^16y^4 + 20x^12y^2

Are these three difference exercises?

I really have no idea how to do this....

Hmm... that's awkward. Your class was supposed to have covered factoring (assuming your subject line applies) in depth and in advance of assigning exercises on the topic. Was any aspect of factoring covered at all, or are you needing instruction on the entire topic?

Thank you!

Eliz.

 

[skeeter]

\(\displaystyle x^5y^3 - 9x^4y^2 + 20x^3y\)

the first rule of factoring is to factor out anything each term has in common ...

every term above has the common factor \(\displaystyle x^3y\)

\(\displaystyle x^5y^3 - 9x^4y^2 + 20x^3y = x^3y(x^2y^2 - 9xy + 20)\)

the remaining factor will also factor ...

\(\displaystyle x^3y(x^2y^2 - 9xy + 20) = x^3y(xy - 5)(xy - 4)\)