When you are asked to factor with negative

skaterkevin8n8

skaterkevin8n8

Answered question

2022-03-15

When you are asked to factor with negative exponents, how do you know what your gcf is? Consider x3+2x4. What is the gcf? How does this relate to when you are asked to factor x3+2x4?

Answer & Explanation

eslasadadsc

eslasadadsc

Beginner2022-03-16Added 7 answers

That’s a great question. When you factor with positive exponents, you look for the largest factor that is found in all the addends. That “largest” can never be higher that the least exponent. So, if you consider x3+2x4, that factor is x3, and the result x3(1+2x).
When you are dealing with negative exponents, the answer is the same. Just remember that -3 is greater than -4. So, your gcf in this case will be x4. The factored result, then, is x4(x+2).
conduchafr4

conduchafr4

Beginner2022-03-17Added 5 answers

You can factor negative exponents similar to postive ones:
x3+2x4=x3(1+2x1)
And x3+2x4=x3(1+2x)
abac=ab+c
ab=1ab
Thus the first line can also read
1x3+2x4=1x3(1+2x)

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?