Question

How do you factor `(b+2)^2 - (b-2)^2`?

Answer 1

Apply the difference of squares formula and simplify to find

`(b+2)^2 - (b-2)^2 = 8b`

Explanation:

The difference of squares formula states that
`a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)`

In this case, we just happen to have binomials as `a` and `b`. However, the formula still applies.

`(b+2)^2 - (b-2)^2 = ((b+2)+(b-2))((b+2)-(b-2))`

`= (2b)(4)`

`= 8b`