Factorise the following: 5a^3b^5-4ab^2
Step 1:-Find any common factors. Looking at this example, it becomes clear that a HCF won't be a numerical value (e.g. 4 or 5) as there are no factors which are common for both 4 and 5. Looking further, can we use the a's and b's as factors? In this case, yes we can. The highest common factor in this case therefore is ab^2.
Step 2:-Using this found highest common factor, and removing (dividing) both equations by this, what are we left with?in this case, 5a^3b^5 will go to, ab^2(5a^2b^3), and the -4ab^2 will go to, ab^2(-4)
Step 3:-Putting this all together, we are left with the answer of:
ab^2(5a^2b^3-4)
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