what is one of the factors for: ax + 3a + 2x + 6?

Question

the answer can only be in a form that looks like this (a+2). but this is not the answer

Answer 1

(a+2)(x+3) is the complete answer. You have to factor by grouping.

Answer 2

Let's look at just the terms containing a. Those equal a(x+3). This leads us to suspect and hope that (x+3) is a factor.

Since the other two terms taken together = 2(x+3), yes, x+3 is a factor.

The whole thing = (a+2)(x+3). So a+2 is also an answer to the question.

Answer 3

ax+3a+2x+6
=a(x+3)+2(x+3)
=(x+3)(a+2). ANS.