Question

How do you factor `5a - 20`?

Answer 1

`5(a-4)`

Explanation:

We begin with `5a-20`. The first thing I noticed with this problem is that both `5` and `20` are divisible by `5`. That means that we can factor out a `5` from both components, which leaves us with `5(a-4)`.

There, that's it. `5(a-4)` cannot be factored any further.

Answer 2

`5(a-4)`

Explanation:

To factor this expression, tell yourself
"I need a number (or variable) that 'go into' both 5a and -20.
Well, 5 is a factor of 5 and -20.
So 5 go into 5a (1a times).
That sounds confusing, but remember, 5 go into 5 one time, but in algebra, you don't normally write the number 1 in coefficient, so it's just 'a'. 5 can't go into 'a' because a is just a single variable.
5 can go into 20, 4 times.
So now our final answer will be 5(a-4).
Hopefully this make sense!