What is the greatest common factor of the polynomials x^2 - 9 and x^2 - 5x + 6?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. x - 3
- Step 1: Factor x^2 - 9: (x - 3)(x + 3). Step 2. Factor x^2 - 5x + 6: (x - 3)(x - 2). Step 3. The highest common factor is x - 3. Answer: x - 3. Why not the others: x + 3 is not a factor of the second polynomial.
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