Question

Factor -1.8 out of 3.6b-9

Answer 1

Answer:   -1.8(-2b+5)

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Explanation:

Consider something like 2b+6 factoring to 2(b+3). When we distribute that outer 2 back inside the parenthesis, we're multiplying that 2 by everything inside. Factoring goes in reverse of this and we divide each term of 2b+6 by the GCF 2.

The same thing applies to this current problem as well.

Divide each term by the -1.8 we want to factor out.

• (3.6b)/(-1.8) = -2b
• (-9)/(-1.8) = 5

The results -2b and 5 will go inside the parenthesis. That's how we end up with -1.8(-2b+5)

You can use distribution to verify this

-1.8(-2b+5)

-1.8*(-2b) - 1.8*(5)

3.6b - 9