How do you simplify #3ab+2a+3b+4ab-a+4b#?

2 Answers
Sep 8, 2016

#a + 7 b (a + 1)#

Explanation:

We have: #3 a b + 2 a + 3 b + 4 a b - a + 4 b#

Let's collect the like terms:

#= (3 a b + 4 a b) + (2 a - a) + (3 b + 4 b)#

#= 7 a b + a + 7 b#

We can factor out a #7 b# to get:

#= a + 7 b (a + 1)#

Sep 8, 2016

#a+7ab+7b#

Explanation:

#color(red)(+3ab)color(blue)(+2a)color(lime)(+3b)color(red)(+4ab)color(blue)(-a)color(lime)(+4b) " "larr# identify the like terms.

Re-arrange the terms if you prefer to. Make sure the signs stay with the correct terms.

#color(blue)(+2a)color(blue)(-a)color(red)(+3ab)color(red)(+4ab)color(lime)(+3b)color(lime)(+4b)#

Now add the co-efficients, but keep the variables and the powers the same.

#color(blue)(a)color(red)(+7ab)color(lime)(+7b)#