Factor 6y^4 - 15y^3, help!?

Question

I don't even know how to approach this! Please help and the steps for me!

Factor completely:
6y^4 - 15y^3

McFate, thank you so much! I totally understand it now, you're a life saver!

Answer 1

3y^3 ( 2y - 5 )

In this case, you look for the lowest degree of y (y^3), so you know you can factor out y^3. And the greatest common factor of the two coefficients (6 and 15) is 3.

Factor out 3y^3 and you are done. The remainder (2y - 5) cannot be factored further.

Answer 2

firstly break each part of the formula down to its consitutant parts

6y^4 = 2x3.y.y.y.y

15y^3 = 5x3y.y.y

so the formula becomes

6y^4 - 15y^3 = 2x3y.y.y.y - 5x3y.y.y

then take out common factors using brackets

=> 3y.y.y[ 2y -5]

=> 3y^3(2y-5)