Question

Factorise the following:

12a²b – 16ab² – 28a²b²

Answer 1

Step 1:

The coefficients are 12, –16 and –28.

The greatest common factor of 12, 16 and 28 is 4.

Step 2:

The variable terms are a²b, ab² and a²b²

The lowest power of a present in all terms is a¹ = a.

The lowest power of b present in all terms is b¹ = b.

The GCF of the variable terms is ab.

Step 3:

The overall GCF of the expression is 4ab.

Step 4:

Divide each term by 4ab

`(12a^2b)/(4ab) = 3a`

`(-16ab^2)/(4ab) = - 4b`

`(-28a^2b^2)/(4ab) = -7ab`