How do you factor #3xy + 12x – 2y – 8 #?

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Answer 1 · 2015-05-09T04:00:53

The answer is #(3x-2)(y+4)# .

Factor #3xy+12x-2y-8# .

There is no common factor, so use the factor by grouping method. Separate the terms into two groups.

#color(red)(3xy+12x)color(blue)(-(2y-8)#

Factor out #color(red)(3x)# from the first group.

#color(red)(3x(y+4)color(blue)(-(2y-8)#

Factor out #color(blue)(-2# from the second group.

#color(red)(3x(y+4)color(blue)((-2)(y+4)#

#color(purple)(y+4)# is a common factor.

#color(red)(3x(y+4)color(blue)((-2)(y+4)# =

#color(purple)((3x-2)(y+4)#