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Identifying the Best Factoring Method for 6y2726y^2 - 72, r210r24r^2 - 10r - 24, and p2+5p+pq+5qp^2 + 5p + pq + 5q

Identify the best factoring method for each polynomial by applying the preliminary factoring strategy.

6y2726y^2 - 72

  • Is there a GCF? Yes, the GCF is 6. Factor it out: 6(y212)6(y^2 - 12).
  • What type of polynomial remains? The expression y212y^2 - 12 is a binomial. There is currently no method available for factoring this binomial, so the factoring is complete.

r210r24r^2 - 10r - 24

  • Is there a GCF? No, the three terms share no common factor.
  • What type of polynomial is it? It is a trinomial with a leading coefficient of 1, so the appropriate method is to "undo" FOIL — find two numbers whose product is 24-24 and whose sum is 10-10.

p2+5p+pq+5qp^2 + 5p + pq + 5q

  • Is there a GCF? No, all four terms share no single common factor.
  • What type of polynomial is it? It has more than three terms (four terms), so the appropriate method is factoring by grouping.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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