Step by step
The question
Question: factor 5x² − 10x.
Factor means: write it as a times, with brackets.
5x2 − 10x
1 Take out the common factor
5 and 10 can both be divided by 5.
Every term has at least x.
So the common factor is 5x.
5, 10: all in the 5 times table
every term has x
We divide every term by it.
What is left goes in the bracket.
5x2 ÷ 5x = x
−10x ÷ 5x = −2
So it is 5x(x − 2).
= 5x(x − 2)
2 Check
Let's check: we multiply it back out.
The term in front times each part.
Check: 5x(x − 2) = 5x2 − 10x
We get 5x² − 10x again.
So 5x(x − 2) is right!
Let's look back.
First: take out the common factor.
Last: check.
Answer
= 5x(x − 2)