Question

what's equivalent to 18p−36

Answer 1

The common factor of 18p and 36 appears to be 18 (36 is a multiple of 18). So if you factor out the common term, 18, you get 18(p-2). If you distribute the 18 through the factored version, you get back to the original. 18*p is 18p and 18*(-2) is -36.