To factor the expression \( 18x^3y^4 + 12x^5y^2 \) by finding the greatest common factor (GCF), we first identify the GCF of the coefficients and the variables.
- Coefficients: The GCF of 18 and 12 is 6.
- Variable \( x \): The minimum power of \( x \) in both terms is \( x^3 \).
- Variable \( y \): The minimum power of \( y \) in both terms is \( y^2 \).
Thus, the GCF of the entire expression is \( 6x^3y^2 \).
Now we factor this out from each term:
\[ 18x^3y^4 = 6x^3y^2 \cdot 3y^2 \]
\[ 12x^5y^2 = 6x^3y^2 \cdot 2x^2 \]
Putting it all together gives:
\[ 18x^3y^4 + 12x^5y^2 = 6x^3y^2(3y^2 + 2x^2) \]
Therefore, the correct rewrite of the expression by factoring out the GCF is:
6x³y²(3y² + 2x²).