alleryStart learning →Using the preliminary factoring strategy, what is the correct first move on 6y^2 - 72?
ATreat it directly as a difference of squares
BSplit it into two groups of two terms
CFactor out the GCF, giving 6(y^2-12)
DTreat it as a trinomial in x squared
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Factor out the GCF, giving 6(y^2-12)
1. The preliminary strategy always checks for a greatest common factor first.
2. The GCF of 6y squared and 72 is 6, so factor it out to get 6(y squared - 12).
3. Since 12 is not a perfect square, y squared - 12 does not fit the difference of squares pattern and stays as it is.
_Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Factoring", section 7.3 Factor Quadratic Trinomials with Leading Coefficient Other than 1_
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