How do you factor #ab - 3a - 5b + 15#?

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Answer 1 · 2015-05-23T03:33:12

#ab-3a-5b+15=(a-5)(b-3)#

Problem: Factor #ab-3a-5b+15#.

Divide the terms into two groups.

#(ab-3a)-(5b+15)# =

#(ab-3a)-(5b-15)# =

Factor out the common terms in each group.

#a(b-3)-5(b-3)#

Factor out the common term #(b-3)#.

Solution: #ab-3a-5b+15=(a-5)(b-3)#