Questions: Factor the following polynomial.
18 x y+21 x+6 y+7
Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice.
A. 18 x y+21 x+6 y+7= (Factor completely.)
B. The polynomial has no common factor other than 1.
Transcript text: Factor the following polynomial.
\[
18 x y+21 x+6 y+7
\]
Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to complete your choice.
A. $18 x y+21 x+6 y+7=$ $\square$ (Factor completely.)
B. The polynomial has no common factor other than 1.
Solution
Solution Steps
To factor the given polynomial \(18xy + 21x + 6y + 7\), we can use the method of grouping. First, we group the terms in pairs and factor out the greatest common factor from each pair. Then, we look for a common binomial factor in the resulting expression.
Step 1: Grouping the Terms
We start with the polynomial \(18xy + 21x + 6y + 7\). To factor it, we can group the terms as follows:
\[
(18xy + 21x) + (6y + 7)
\]
Step 2: Factoring Each Group
Next, we factor out the greatest common factor from each group:
From the first group \(18xy + 21x\), we can factor out \(3x\):
\[
3x(6y + 7)
\]
From the second group \(6y + 7\), there is no common factor to factor out.
Thus, we rewrite the polynomial as:
\[
3x(6y + 7) + 1(6y + 7)
\]
Step 3: Factoring Out the Common Binomial
Now, we notice that both terms contain the common binomial factor \((6y + 7)\). We can factor this out:
\[
(3x + 1)(6y + 7)
\]
Final Answer
The completely factored form of the polynomial \(18xy + 21x + 6y + 7\) is:
\[
\boxed{(3x + 1)(6y + 7)}
\]