Factor this polynomial a^5b-a
a ( a^4b - 1)
a(a^4-1)
To factor the polynomial a^5b - a, let's first look for a common factor that can be factored out from both terms.
In this case, both terms have a common factor of "a". Let's factor out "a" from both terms:
a^5b - a = a(a^4b - 1)
Now, let's focus on the expression in the parentheses: a^4b - 1. This expression cannot be factored any further because there are no common factors among its terms.
Therefore, the factored form of the polynomial a^5b - a is a(a^4b - 1).