Hi swashbuckler,
This function, known as "factoring", is a key concept to algebra on the GMAT--make sure you spend time with it.
The general rule, known as the distributive property (I think? I'm so bad with names!), is that
a(
b +
c) =
a x
b +
a x
cKeep working through our math workbook--this property may not be covered in detail (I'm not familiar with the specific text) but the rules used will be tested again and again. Once you've learned to go both ways--multiplying both terms inside parentheses by a factor, or pulling a common factor of two terms out of parentheses--you'll have mastered a powerful tool for taking on GMAT mathematics.