Identify GCF: Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms in the polynomial −2x4−20x3−18x2. The GCF is −2x2, since each term contains at least an x2 and is divisible by −2.
Factor out GCF: Factor out the GCF from each term in the polynomial. −2x4−20x3−18x2=−2x2(x2+10x+9)
Factor quadratic expression: Now, factor the quadratic expression inside the parentheses.The quadratic x2+10x+9 can be factored into (x+1)(x+9), since 1 and 9 are factors of 9 that add up to 10.
Combine for final form: Combine the GCF with the factored quadratic expression to get the final factored form.−2x2(x2+10x+9)=−2x2(x+1)(x+9)
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