Question

Factorise the following:

ab + bc + ad + cd

Answer 1

Given expression: ab + bc + ad + cd

Step-wise calculation:

1. Group terms to factor by common factors:

(ab + ad) + (bc + cd)

2. Factor out common factors in each group:

a(b + d) + c(b + d)

3. Notice the common binomial factor:

(b + d)(a + c)

Thus, the factorised form of the expression is (a + c)(b + d).