I struggle to simplify the following equation: (see answer)
3l2mn + nl2m - 5mn2l + l2nm + 2n2ml - mn2
The first step is to ask yourself if there is anything that could help you simplify the equation, any recurring term or common factor. Here, we note that mn is a common factor so let us try to factorise the equation using mn as the main factor, as follows:
3l2mn + nl2m - 5mn2l + l2nm + 2n2ml - mn2 = mn (3l2 + l2-5nl + l2+ 2nl- n) = mn( 5l2 -3nl - n)
This is the most simplified version of this equation, thus we have rightly answered the question.
Note: When factorising, be careful about quadratic terms to avoid silly mistakes, rigour is needed!
LS
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