Question

How do you use the difference of two squares formula to factor `9/x^6 - 64y^2`?

Answer 1

`(3/x^3-8y)(3/x^6+8y)`

Explanation:

Using the formula
`(a-b)(a+b)=a^2-b^2`

we get

`(3/x^3-8y)(3/x^4+8y)`

Answer 2

`(3/x^3-8y)(3/x^3+8y)`

Explanation:

`•color(white)(x)a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)larrcolor(blue)"difference of squares"`

`9/x^6=(3/x^3)^2rArra=3/x^3`

`64y^2=(8y)^2rArrb=8y`

`9/x^6-64y^2=(3/x^3-8y)(3/x^3+8y)`