Find the Common Factor in (2x/b + 4c/3b): Step-by-Step Solution

Algebraic Factoring with Fractional Terms

Find the common factor:

2xb+4c3b \frac{2x}{b}+\frac{4c}{3b}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find the common factor
00:07 Break down 4 into factors 2 and 2
00:16 Mark the common factors
00:27 Take out the common factors from the parentheses
00:36 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Find the common factor:

2xb+4c3b \frac{2x}{b}+\frac{4c}{3b}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will follow the steps below:

Let's start by examining the given expression:

2xb+4c3b \frac{2x}{b} + \frac{4c}{3b}

Step 1: Identify the common factor in both terms.

Both terms have a denominator of b b . We can factor 1b \frac{1}{b} out of the entire expression.

Step 2: Factor out the common factor.

2xb=1b2x \frac{2x}{b} = \frac{1}{b} \cdot 2x
4c3b=1b4c3 \frac{4c}{3b} = \frac{1}{b} \cdot \frac{4c}{3}

Step 3: Combine terms using the common factor.

Now, factor 1b \frac{1}{b} out of the expression:
1b(2x+4c3) \frac{1}{b}(2x + \frac{4c}{3})

Step 4: Simplify the expression.

We notice that both terms have a common factor of 2 in the numerators:

1b(2x+4c3)=2b(x+2c3) \frac{1}{b} \cdot (2x + \frac{4c}{3}) = \frac{2}{b} \cdot (x + \frac{2c}{3})

Therefore, the common factor in the expression is 2b(x+2c3) \frac{2}{b}(x+\frac{2c}{3}) .

3

Final Answer

2b(x+2c3) \frac{2}{b}(x+\frac{2c}{3})

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Common Factor: Look for shared factors in numerators and denominators
  • Technique: Factor out 2b \frac{2}{b} from both 2xb \frac{2x}{b} and 4c3b \frac{4c}{3b}
  • Verification: Expand your factored form to check it equals the original expression ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Only factoring out the denominator
    Don't just factor out 1b \frac{1}{b} and stop there = missing the complete common factor! This leaves extra factors in the numerators that could be simplified further. Always look for the greatest common factor by checking both numerators and denominators for shared factors like the 2 in both terms.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Break down the expression into basic terms:

\( 2x^2 \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I find the greatest common factor in fractions?

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Look at both parts: the numerators and denominators separately. In 2xb+4c3b \frac{2x}{b} + \frac{4c}{3b} , the denominators share b b and the numerators share the factor 2.

Why is the answer not just b factored out?

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While b b is in both denominators, you need the greatest common factor. Since 2x and 4c both have factor 2, the complete answer is 2b \frac{2}{b} , not just 1b \frac{1}{b} .

How can I check if my factored form is correct?

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Distribute and expand your answer! If 2b(x+2c3) \frac{2}{b}(x + \frac{2c}{3}) is correct, then expanding gives you back 2xb+4c3b \frac{2x}{b} + \frac{4c}{3b} .

What if there's no common factor?

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That's possible! But always check carefully - even if denominators are different like b b and 3b 3b , they still share the factor b b .

Can I factor out a negative number?

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Yes! If your expression had negative terms, you could factor out 2b -\frac{2}{b} instead. Just remember to change the signs of all terms inside the parentheses.

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