College Algebra Problems Help

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So I am taking an online course for college algebra, and I am doing an assignment right now for skills we need to know to do well in the class. Factoring completely has come up, and I know that I know it, I just can't seem to remember it right now, and it's really frustrating me. I've looked on Khan Academy to try and get some help, but I still just can't seem to get a few problems. Does anyone have any idea on how to go about factoring this problem completely? It's been killing me for days.

54x^9y^6 - 36x^4y^4 + 30x^6y^2

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Well, what have you tried doing so far?? You will quickly find out that no one here will be doing your homework for you, but we are more than happy to guide your thought process.

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Apparently I can't work it out for you, which I just did. Sorry! Look for the highest multiples and lowest factors for the exponents. I guess that's saying too much?

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Well of course no one will do it for me, that would be silly, and it would also frustrate me even more. It's really upsetting me that this problem has stumped me so much.

I've taken out 6 for the highest multiple, and I think the lowest factors for the exponents would be x^4 and y^2.... So right now, I'm left with:

6x^4y^2 (9x^5y^4 - 6y^2 + 5x^2)

From here, I'm totally drawing a blank. I think its the x^5y^4 that's really throwing me off.

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I believe you've got it correct. I just did it myself.

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That is the same answer I got. Since there are no values, you are factoring out the largest common factor.

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So as far as this goes, I'm done then? There is no other possible way to factor it completely? I've been thinking this whole time that there's another step, that I just didn't see it. :facepalm:

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Look at the expression within the parenthesis. Can you take out anything else? If not, leave it alone.

With Algebra, do what they ask and nothing more. Try not to overthink it.

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Yeah, I'm bad at over thinking, case and point. ^ Thanks for the help! I'll try not to over think too much. :)

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Best of luck in your class! It usually isn't as painful once you remember that little tidbit.

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Good day, kcsunshine

Do a google search using the following two words together:

khanacademy.org factoring

You will get a number of solidly done videos that can help you understand factoring.

If it helps, I've uploaded three PDF files from the math class I took last year where we had to factor.

Thank you.

MATH051 Quadradic Equations.pdf

MATH051 Factoring Polynomials Steps.pdf

MATH051 Factoring Polynomials Putting It All Together.pdf

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