How do you rearrange a mathematics equation such as 2pr plus 6qs-3qr-4ps? - Answers

This is an expression, not an equation. To rearrange it, you arrange the expression so that the first set of terms have a variable (letter) in common. Arrange the rest so that they follow a similar patter (see working below). Then factorise. 2pr + 6qs - 3qr - 4ps. Select r to be the common variable for the first two terms. So 2pr - 3qr + 6qs - 4ps You will see that terms (now numbered) 3 and 4 have s in common. But, while with the first two, the term with p comes before the term with q, with 3 and 4, it is the other way around. So swap terms 3 and 4. 2pr - 3qr - 4ps + 6qs Common factor of terms 1 and 2 = r, common factor of terms 3 and 4 = s: r(2p - 3q) - 2s(2p - 3q) and then (2p - 3q) is a common factor so (2p - 3q)(r - 2s)