Asked by Chopsticks

Can someone tell me how to factor

2a^2 - 16ab + 32b

I just need someone to help me get started, and I want to see if I can finish it.
Answered by DanH
Pull a 2 out first...

2(a^2 - 8ab + 32b^2)

That should get you started
Answered by Ned
2a^2 - 16ab + 32b = 2(a^2 - 8ab + 16b^2) = 2(a^2 + 8(2b - ab))

(DanH made a mistake: The 32 should be a 16 since a 2 was factored from it)
Answered by Chopsticks
Ohh I'm sorry, The problem was

2a^2b -16ab+32b

So should it be

So should I factor with 2b?
Answered by Ned
You only factor out what all of the terms share.

Not all of the terms share 2b as a factor (only the -16ab and +32b terms can have a 2b factored from them. The 2b in the 2a^2b term is in the exponent, which can't be used as a factor.)

So what do all 3 terms share? That's what you factor.
Answered by Chopsticks
well they all share 2 like you said so

2(a^2b - 8ab + 16b)

that makes it the perfect square trinomial

But I have no idea how to factor that. If that b was gone from the a^2b, than I can do it, but with the b there, i have no clue.
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