Question

How do you factor `16p^2-36`?

Answer 1

4(2p - 3)(2p + 3 )

Explanation:

First 'take out' the common factor of 4.

`16p^2 - 36 = 4(4p^2 - 9)`

now `4p^2 - 9" is a difference of squares "`

A difference of squares factors : `a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)`

For `4p^2 - 9 , a = 2p " and " b = 3`

hence : `4p^2 - 9 = (2p-3)(2p+3)`

`rArr 16p^2 - 36 = 4(2p-3)(2p+3)`