How do you factor a number? An example question is:
Factor the monomial 36x2y completely.
Could you please explain the process?
Also-I'm able to answer questions like these when they're multiple choice...Otherwise, I'm not quite sure. Please and thank you.
To factor a number, particularly a monomial like 36x^2y, you need to break it down into its prime factors. Here's how you do it step by step:
Step 1: Identify the prime factors of the coefficient (the number in front of the variables).
The prime factorization of 36 is 2^2 * 3^2. Therefore, the prime factors of 36 are 2, 2, 3, and 3.
Step 2: Identify the variables in the monomial.
In this case, the variables are x and y.
Step 3: Assign the lowest possible exponent for each variable.
Since there are no exponents given for x and y in the original monomial, we can assign them each an exponent of 1. So, x^1 and y^1.
Step 4: Put it all together.
Combine the prime factors of the coefficient with the variables, using the assigned exponents.
The factored form of 36x^2y would be: 2^2 * 3^2 * x^1 * y^1 or (2 * 2) * (3 * 3) * x * y.
Simplifying further, we get: 4 * 9xy, which can be written as 36xy.
So, the factored form of 36x^2y is 36xy.