Factor the GCF: - 12x4y - 9x3y2 + 3x2y3

Factor the coefficients:

-12 = (-1) (3) (2^2)

-9 = (-1) (3^2)

3=3

The greatest common factor (GCF) is 3

Next we find the GCF for the variable x.

x^4

x^3

x^2

The GCF is x^2.

Next GCF for variable y.

y

y^2

y^3

the GCF is y

Therefore the GCF is 3x^2y

To factor this out, we need to divide each term by the GCF,

(3x^2y) (-12x4y / (3x^2y) - 9x3y2 / (3x^2y) + 3x2y3 / (3x^2y))

= (3x^2y) (-4x^2-3xy+y^2)

if we wish, we can factor further:

(3x^2y) (y-4x) (x+y)