Question

How do you factor `(b+2)^2 - (b-2)^2`?

Answer 1

`8b`

Explanation:

`p^2 - q^2 = (p+q)(p-q)`

If `p = (b+2)` and `q = (b-2)`
Then the expression to be factored = `((b+2) + (b-2))((b+2) - (b-2))`
`= (2b)(4)`
=`8b`

This result can also be shown by simply expanding both square terms of the expression:

`(b^2 + 4b + 4) - (b^2 -4b + 4) = 8b`