Question

Help me Do THis Problem By Steps Factor
3a2-12a+ab-4b

Answer 1

Factor by grouping:
\[(3a^2-12a)+(ab-4b)\]

Answer 2

What is the greatest common factor that you can factor out of the first two terms above? ^^^
What is the greatest common factor that you can factor out of the last two terms above?

Answer 3

3 will go into 3a^2 and 3 will also go into 12a
a will go into 3a^2 and a will also go into 12a
So 3a can be factored out of the first two terms:
3a(a - 4)

Do the same with ab - 4b

Answer 4

3a^2-12a+ab-4b = (3a^2-12a) + (ab-4b) = 3a(a - 4) + b(a-4) = (3a+b)(a-4)
Those are the two factors.