How do you factor the trinomial $3y^4 -12y^3 -15y^2$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-02-01T09:41:21

$3y^4-12y^3-15y^2=3y^2(y+1)(y-5)$

$3y^4-12y^3-15y^2$

Factor out the GCF $3y^2$ .

$3y^2(y^2-4y-5)$

Factor $y^2-4y-5$ .

Find two numbers that when multiplied equal $-5$ and when added equal $-4$ . The numbers $-5$ and $1$ fit the pattern.

Rewrite $y^2-4y-5$ as $(y+1)(y-5)$ .

Add back the GCF $3y^2$ and rewrite the expression.

$3y^2(y+1)(y-5)$

How do you factor the trinomial 3y^4 -12y^3 -15y^23y^4 -12y^3 -15y^2?