Factor
(m + 4) (a – 5) + (m + 4) (a + 3)
I am pretty sure its this but want to double check! Thanks!
(m + 4) (a^2 – 2)
How did you get the a^2?
a*a = a^2? yes? No? Or is it
(m + 4) (2a – 2)
yes it is (m+4)(2a-2)
Why would it be this because a*a is 2a? I thought at first it is a^2? Can you please explain, thanks!
To factor the given expression, let's start by rewriting it:
(m + 4) (a - 5) + (m + 4) (a + 3)
We notice that both terms in the expression have a common factor, which is (m + 4). We can factor it out:
(m + 4) [ (a - 5) + (a + 3) ]
Now, let's simplify the expression inside the brackets:
(a - 5) + (a + 3)
To combine like terms, we add the coefficients of a:
a - 5 + a + 3
Simplifying further, we have:
2a - 2
Therefore, the fully factored expression is:
(m + 4)(2a - 2)
or you can also write it as:
2(m + 4)(a - 1)
So, your initial guess of (m + 4)(a^2 - 2) is not correct. The correct factored form is (m + 4)(2a - 2).