Question

Please assist me, 3a over a + b + 3b over a + b = 3a + 3b over a + b, this sum is in simplest form, true or false?

Answer 1

Can you factor 3a+3b?

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

to get what?

Answer 4

3ab

Answer 5

not quite

Answer 6

the terms 3a and 3b have what in common?

Answer 7

3

Answer 8

so we can use the distributive property in reverse to say

3a+3b

turns into

3(a+b)

Answer 9

OK so it's false, because it was just changed so it couldn't have been in simplest form.

Answer 10

exactly

Answer 11

well it's not in its simplest form because

3(a+b) over a+b

simplifies to 3 since the "a+b" terms cancel

Answer 12

Thank you.

Answer 13

but you're on the right track

Answer 14

you're welcome