Question

factor 15w + 12. write your answer as a product with a whole number greater than 1.

Explanation:

Step1: Find the GCF of 15 and 12

The factors of 15 are \(1, 3, 5, 15\) and the factors of 12 are \(1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12\). The greatest common factor (GCF) of 15 and 12 is 3.

Step2: Factor out the GCF

Using the distributive property \(ab + ac = a(b + c)\), where \(a = 3\), \(b=\frac{15w}{3}=5w\), and \(c=\frac{12}{3} = 4\). So, \(15w+12=3(5w + 4)\).

Answer:

\(3(5w + 4)\)