Math Problem Statement
Question content area top
Part 1
Factor the following expression by grouping.
xy minus x plus 2 y minus 2xy−x+2y−2
Question content area bottom
Part 1
Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice.
A.
xy minus x plus 2 y minus 2xy−x+2y−2equals=enter your response here
(Factor completely.)
B.
The polynomial cannot be factored.
Solution
Let's factor the given expression by grouping. The expression is:
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Group the terms in pairs:
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Factor out the common factor from each group:
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Notice that is a common factor. So, factor out:
Thus, the expression can be factored as:
So, the correct choice is:
A.
Would you like more details on the steps? Here are 5 related questions:
- What is the significance of the common factor when grouping terms?
- How can you verify that your factorization is correct?
- Are there situations where grouping might not work?
- How does the sign of each term affect the grouping process?
- How do you factor expressions with more than four terms?
Tip: Always recheck your factorization by expanding the factors to ensure you return to the original expression.
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Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Factoring
Grouping terms
Formulas
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Theorems
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Suitable Grade Level
High School