Question

Factorise the following:

2ax – 4ay – bx + 2by

Answer 1

Given expression: 2ax – 4ay – bx + 2by

Step-wise calculation:

Step 1: Group the terms to factor by common factors: (2ax – 4ay) – (bx – 2by)

Step 2: Factor out the common factors in each group:

From first group (2ax – 4ay), factor out (2a): 2a(x – 2y)

From second group (–bx + 2by), factor out (–b): –b(x – 2y)

Step 3: Now expression looks like: 2a(x – 2y) – b(x – 2y)

Step 4: Factor out the common binomial factor (x – 2y): (x – 2y)(2a – b)