Factorise 9a^2+6ab.

So what does it mean when we factorise? Well, we want to take the highest common factor (HCF) of both of these algebraic terms and we want to take that outside the back to simplify the expression. First, let's look at the numbers in both terms - 9 and 6. What is the highest times table that has both of these numbers - 3 times tables. We can now take a 3 outside the bracket, 3(3a^2+2ab). You can now see that we have replaced the number in each terms with how many times it fits into the 3 times table. Now, let's turn our attention to our letters in the expression - what is common in both terms? 'a' is common in both terms but 'b' is not. Using the same method, we take 'a' outside the brackets. Let's look at our factorisation now - 3a(3a+2b). Double check that you have fully factorised. A good way to check that you have the correct answer is to expand what you have found to see whether you end at the expression you started with.
Final answer: 3a(3a+2b)

RD
Answered by Rebecca D. Maths tutor

4339 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

There are 10 balls in a bag. The balls are the same apart from their colour. Of the 10 balls, 3 are black, 5 white, 2 red. What is the probability of picking a white ball from the bag.


x^2 - x - 90 = 0. Solve to find x.


A school has a number of students. One is chosen at random; the probability that the student is female is 2/5. Knowing that there are 174 male students, work out the total number of students in the school.


Solve the simultaneous equations: 3x + y = -4 and 3x - 4y = 6


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning