Question

Factor ab + bc + b2 + ac.

(a + b)(b + c)
(a + c)(b + c)
b(a + b)(b + c)

Answer 1

It is (a + b)(b + c)

Explanation:

`ab + bc + {b}^(2) + ac`

arrange the function:

`= (ab + ac) + ( {b}^(2) + bc)`

factorise out common terms [ a and b ]:

`= a(b + c) + b(b + c)`

form a bracket of factors:

`= (a + b)(b + c)`