Factor the four-term polynomial by grouping.
-xy + 12x - 4y - 48
A)(x - 12)(y + 4)
B)(y + 12)(x - 4)
C)(y - 12)(x + 4)
D)(x + 12)(y - 4)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can group the first two terms together and the last two terms together:
xy + 12x - 4y - 48 = (xy + 12x) - (4y + 48)
= x(y + 12) - 4(y + 12)
= (y+12)(x-4) In this problem, we can group xy with -4y and 12x with -48:

xy + 12x - 4y - 48
= (xy - 4y) + (12x - 48)
= y(x - 4) + 12(x - 4)
= (y + 12)(x - 4)

Therefore, the answer is B, (y + 12)(x - 4).

Factor the Four-Term Polynomial by Grouping