Combine like terms: Combine like terms.We have two terms with a and two terms with b. We will combine these terms by adding or subtracting the coefficients.12a−16a=−4a (combining ′a terms)26b−4b=22b (combining ′b terms)
Write simplified expression: Write the simplified expression.After combining like terms, we get the simplified expression:−4a+22b
Check common factors: Check for any common factors.We look for any common factors between −4a and 22b. The numbers 4 and 22 have a common factor of 2.
Factor out common factor: Factor out the common factor.We factor out the common factor of 2 from both terms:2(−2a+11b)
Write final factored expression: Write the final factored expression.The final factored expression is:2(−2a+11b)