123456
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Freaky Factoring

Here's another one...

Factor2k^5 - 6k^4 = 2k^4( k - 3 )

This one has the same pattern:

 
Factor		2( x^2 + 3x )^5 - 6( x^2 + 3x )^4 = 2( x^2 + 3x )^4 [( x^2 + 3x ) - 3 ] = 2( x^2 + 3x )^4 ( x^2 + 3x - 3 )

 

YOUR TURN:

Factor2( w^2 + w - 1 )^5 - 6( w^2 + w - 1 )^4

 

Notice what's happening in these examples.

Look at the last few:

2( blob )^5 - 6( blob )^4

Theon our blobs (5 and 4) have a difference of 1...

So, we factor out the lowest power of the blob...

2( blob )^5 - 6( blob )^4 ... cross out the ( blob )^4

And then we simply slash the exponent off of the other blob!

2( blob )^5 - 6( blob )^4 ... cross out the ^5 and the ( blob )^4
Factor the numbers too!

Giving us

2( blob )^4 [( blob ) - 3 ]

 

You'll catch on.  It's easy!