1. **State the problem:** Simplify the expression $2a + 4b - ax - 2bx$. 2. **Group like terms:** Group terms involving $a$ and $b$ separately: $$2a - ax + 4b - 2bx$$ 3. **Factor out common factors:** - For terms with $a$: $2a - ax = a(2 - x)$ - For terms with $b$: $4b - 2bx = b(4 - 2x)$ 4. **Simplify the factored terms:** $$a(2 - x) + b(4 - 2x)$$ 5. **Final simplified expression:** $$a(2 - x) + b(4 - 2x)$$ This is the simplified form of the original expression, showing the factors clearly.