Question

what method of factoring should first be used?
$5d^2m^2 + 7d^2$
answer
greatest common factor
difference of perfect squares
trinomial factoring
none of the above

Explanation:

The expression \(5d^2m^2 + 7d^2\) has a shared term \(d^2\) in both monomials. Factoring out this shared greatest common factor is the first logical step for simplification, as the other methods apply to different polynomial structures (difference of squares for binomials with squared terms subtracted, trinomial factoring for three-term polynomials).

Answer:

Greatest Common Factor