Example

Factoring 6x3y+48y46x^3y + 48y^4

To factor the expression 6x3y+48y46x^3y + 48y^4, first look for a greatest common factor (GCF). Both terms share a common factor of 6y6y. Factoring this out leaves 6y(x3+8y3)6y(x^3 + 8y^3). The binomial inside the parentheses is a sum of two perfect cubes, where x3=(x)3x^3 = (x)^3 and 8y3=(2y)38y^3 = (2y)^3. Using the sum of cubes pattern, a3+b3=(a+b)(a2ab+b2)a^3 + b^3 = (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2), substitute a=xa = x and b=2yb = 2y to factor the binomial as (x+2y)((x)2(x)(2y)+(2y)2)(x + 2y)((x)^2 - (x)(2y) + (2y)^2), which simplifies to (x+2y)(x22xy+4y2)(x + 2y)(x^2 - 2xy + 4y^2). Combining this with the GCF gives the final factored expression: 6y(x+2y)(x22xy+4y2)6y(x + 2y)(x^2 - 2xy + 4y^2).

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Updated 2026-04-30

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