24a ^ 2-6a-9. you should do in this case is to see the terms that are repeated in the expression. WE have then that the terms are a and the multiples of 3. Making a common factor we have: 24a ^ 2-6a-9. 3 (8a ^ 2-2a-3). 3 (a (8a-2) -3) Answer: The equivalent expression is:3 (a (8a-2) -3)