Question

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

Answer 1

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)`