Question

Theo factored a greatest common factor (GCF) of 3x^2y
from the expression 15x^3y^2-6x^4y^3+9x^2y2.
What error did Theo make, if any?

Theo could have factored a higher coefficient from the expression.

Theo could have factored an additional y variable from the expression.

Theo didn't make an error. He factored the correct GCF.

Theo could have factored an additional x variable from the expression.

Answer 1

The error Theo made was not factoring out the highest possible power of x. The correct GCF to factor out from the expression is 3x^2y, leaving a simplified expression of 5x^2y-2x^4y^2+3y.