We need to factor this trinomial by grouping.

The first step in this process consists of splitting the middle term into two terms.

In our example, −17u has been split into −9u and −8u.

Notice that one common factor can be factored from the first 2 terms, and another from the second 2 terms

In order to factor this polynomial, we need to independently factor the first two and the last two terms.

This process will create two new terms containing a common factor.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

3u.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

3u.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

2.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

2.

Numerical terms in this expression have been added.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Numerical terms in this expression have been added.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Numerical terms in this expression have been added.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

This is a special case of exponentiation.

The following rule is applied:

A¹=A

This is a special case of exponentiation.

The following rule is applied:

A¹=A

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM

We need to evaluate a power by multiplying the base by itself as many times as the exponent indicates.

In our example, base 2 will be multiplied by itself twice.

We need to evaluate a power by multiplying the base by itself as many times as the exponent indicates.

In our example, base 2 will be multiplied by itself twice.

We need to get rid of expression parentheses.

If there is a negative sign in front of it, each term within the expression changes sign.

Otherwise, the expression remains unchanged.

In our example, the following 2 terms will change sign:

4, u

We need to factor the GCF (Greatest Common Factor).

The resulting term is a product of the GCF and the original expression divided by the GCF.

In our example, the GCF is equal to 4u−3.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

4u−3.

We need to reduce this fraction to the lowest terms.

This can be done by dividing out those factors that appear both in the numerator and in the denominator.

In our example, this is the common factor:

−4u+3.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Number 1 as a factor, does not need to be explicitly written.

In other words: 1A=A.

In our example, the above transformation has been applied once.

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM

Any fraction which has its denominator equal to 1 is equal to its numerator.

In other words:

NUM1=NUM