How do you factor #36x^2 - 25#?

1 Answer
Oct 31, 2015

Use the difference of squares identity to find:

#36x^2-25 = (6x-5)(6x+5)#

Explanation:

The difference of squares identity can be written:

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

In the case of #36x^2 - 25#, notice that #36x^2 = (6x)^2# and #25 = 5^2#, so we get:

#36x^2-25 = (6x)^2-5^2 = (6x-5)(6x+5)#