Answer:
(x - y)(a + b)
Step-by-step explanation:
Notice that x is common to the first two terms and that -y is common to the last two terms. Thus, ax + bx is equivalent to x(a + b), and -ay - by is equivalent to -y(a + b).
(a + b) is common to both these results: x(a + b) - y(a + b). If we factor out (a + b), we get (x - y)(a + b). Neither (1) nor (2) is correct.
