Question

Simplify the following expression.
4a-2b

Answer 1

4a-2b
Factor out 2 (common term):
2(2a-b)

Answer 2

The simplified expression is:

4a-2b=2 (2a-b)

Explanation:

By “simplifying” an algebraic expression, we mean writing it in the most compact or efficient manner, without changing the value of the expression.

Here we are asked to simplify the expression:

4a-2b

We know that both the terms in the expression i.e. 4a and 2b are separated by a negative sign and both have 2 as a common multiple so we will take out common 2 from both the expression i.e. we write our expression as:

4a-2b=2 (2a-b)