Problem of the Week

Updated at Jan 4, 2021 3:18 PM

Recent Posts

Jan 25, 2021

This week we have another algebra problem:

How can we factor \(8{u}^{2}-20u+12\)?

Let's start!

\[8{u}^{2}-20u+12\]

Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).

GCF = \(4\)

Factor out the GCF. (Write the GCF first. Then, in parentheses, divide each term by the GCF.)

\[4(\frac{8{u}^{2}}{4}+\frac{-20u}{4}+\frac{12}{4})\]

Simplify each term in parentheses.

\[4(2{u}^{2}-5u+3)\]

Split the second term in \(2{u}^{2}-5u+3\) into two terms.

\[4(2{u}^{2}-2u-3u+3)\]

Factor out common terms in the first two terms, then in the last two terms.

\[4(2u(u-1)-3(u-1))\]

Factor out the common term \(u-1\).

\[4(u-1)(2u-3)\]

Done