Okay, here is a full problem. Factor the expression [FONT=MathJax_Math]a[FONT=MathJax_Math]y[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Main]+[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Math]a[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Main]6[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Math]y[/FONT][FONT=MathJax_Main]6[/FONT][/FONT]. Simplify your answer as much as possible.
Please trust me I have tried to work these out but I can't figure it out. Should I be using the ax^2 + bx + c expression? I just don't understand where to even start with these expressions. I'm not asking for anyone to do my homework I'm just trying to figure out these steps so I can do these kinds of problems on the exam tomorrow.
\(\displaystyle ax^2 + bx + c\) is the standard form for a quadratic in one variable.
A quadratic in standard form can be factored using the quadratic formula, but it pertains only to that special case.
All factoring means is to restate an expression as a product of expressions. The most common way to do that is to look for common factors in the expression.
Is your expression \(\displaystyle ay + a^6y^6?\) If so, you should see that ay is a common factor and \(\displaystyle ay + a^6y^6 = ay(1 + a^5y^5).\)
If your expression is \(\displaystyle ay + a * 6 * y * 6,\) then ay is again a common factor and \(\displaystyle ay - a * 6 * y * 6 = ay(1 + 6 * 6) = 37ay.\)
