Question

Factorise completely:
1. 3xy - x
2. 4a² - 9​

Answer 1

x(3y - 1) and (2a - 3)(2a + 3)

Explanation:

(1)

3xy - x ← factor out x from each term

= x(3y - 1)

(2)

4a² - 9 ← is a difference of squares and factors in general as

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b) , then

4a² - 9

= (2a)² - 3²

= (2a - 3)(2a + 3)