Question

Factorise the following expression:

5x²y − 15xy² 

Answer 1

5x²y = 5 × x × x × y

15xy² = 3 × 5 × x × y × y

The common factors are 5, x, and y.

∴ 5x²y − 15xy² = (5 × x × x × y) − (3 × 5 × x × y × y)

= 5 × x × y [x − (3 × y)]

= 5xy (x − 3y)