Question

Factorise: 4ay-2y can’t seem to do this

Answer 1

In order to factor, we must pull out factors common to each term. In this case, each term has factors of 2 and y:

4ay = 2 * 2 * a * y
2y   = 2 * y

So, we'll pull out the 2y:

$2y(2a-1)$

To check, distribute the 2y back through the terms in parentheses to ensure you end up with the original expression 4ay - 2y.