Question

Factor −6 out of −18a−30

Answer 1

Answer: -6(3a + 5)

Explanation:

Factoring -6 from 18a, you will be left with 3a because -6× 3a will give you 18a

Also factoring -6 from 30, you will be left with 5 because -6 ×5 = -30.

Therefore -18a -30

-6( 3a + 5)

Answer 2

Remark

This is like using the distributive principle only you are going backwards. Instead of trying to remove brackets, you are trying to create them.

Solution

Since you want to take - 6 outside the brackets you should divide both terms by - 6

- 18a: - 18a/- 6 = 3a which is left inside the brackets.

-30: - 30/-6 = 5

- 6(3a + 5)

Answer

-6(3a + 5)