(x - y)(a + b)In this activity, we're going to simplify the following expression:[tex]\sf ax-ay+bx-by[/tex]Step 1: Rearrange the terms.[tex]\sf ax+bx-ay-by[/tex]Step 2: Factor by grouping.Notice that the first two terms have a factor of x, which can be factored out:[tex]\sf x(a+b)[/tex]The third and fourth terms both have a factor of -y, which we can also factor out:[tex]\sf -y(a+b)[/tex]Step 3: Put the factors together.[tex]\sf x(a+b)-y(a+b)[/tex]Step 4: Rearrange.[tex]\sf (x-y)(a+b)[/tex]