Question #5e199

2 Answers
Jul 31, 2017

#"yes "(b-4)(b+4)#

Explanation:

#"a difference of two squares is what it says 2 square numbers"#
#"separated by a subtraction"#

#"for example"#

#25=5^2" and "16=4^2" are two squares"#

#"note that "25-16=9#

#"and " (5-4)(5+4)=1xx9=9#

#"this is the way they are factorised"#

#"in general "#

#•color(white)(x)a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)#

#rArrb^2-16=(b-4)(b+4)#

Jul 31, 2017

#b^2 -16 = (b+4)(b-4)#

Explanation:

The expression "difference or two squares describes exactly what is involved.

"Difference" means to subtract terms

"Two" there are are TWO terms involved

"Squares" are recognized by:
square numbers and variables with even powers.
(A square number is formed by multiplying a number by itself. )

The squares are: #1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81,....# and so

The difference of squares is factorised as:

#a^2 -b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)#

#b^2 and 16# are both squares and they are being subtracted.
This is the difference of two squares and can be factorised

#b^2 -16 = (b+4)(b-4)#