Question

How do you factor `16y^2-25`?

Answer 1

`(4y+5)(4y-5)`
You need to consider what multiplies to make 16(either `1*16, 2*8,`or `4*4`), and what multiplies to make 25( `5*5`). Also notice that this is a binomial, not a trinomial.

Explanation:

The only factor of `25` is `5*5=5^2`, so the factorization must be of the form `(a+5)(b-5)`, as a negative times a positive is negative. Now consider that there is no middle term, so it must have been canceled out. This implies that the coefficients of `y` are the same. This leaves only `(4y+5)(4y-5)`.

Answer 2

As the difference between two squares.

Explanation:

`16y^2 - 25 = ( 4y -5) xx ( 4y +5)`