Question

factor $5r + 15s$. write your answer as a product with a whole number greater than 1.

Explanation:

Step1: Find the GCF of 5r and 15s

The greatest common factor (GCF) of 5 and 15 is 5, and there are no common variables between r and s. So the GCF is 5.

Step2: Factor out the GCF

Using the distributive property \( ab + ac = a(b + c) \), we factor out 5 from \( 5r + 15s \).
\( 5r + 15s = 5(r + 3s) \)

Answer:

\( 5(r + 3s) \)