Thread: Factoring

factor:

5x(a+b) +3(a+b)

I know the answer is (a-b) (5x+3)

But how would you get that answer?

Originally Posted by mathhelp23

factor:

5x(a+b) +3(a+b)

I know the answer is (a-b) (5x+3)

But how would you get that answer?

If you are really clueless multiply everything out

5x(a+b) +3(a+b)
5xa + 5xb + 3a + 3b

Collect like terms

5xa + 3a + 5ax +3b

a(5x+3) + b( 5x +3)

Let say w = ( 5x +3)

So this becomes

aw + bw

collect like terms again

w( a+b)


( 5x +3)(a+b)

Saladus