Question

How do you factor completely: `x^2 – 25`?

Answer 1

`= color(blue)((x+5)(x-5)`

Explanation:

`color(blue)(a^2-b^2) = (a+b)(a-b)`

Applying the above property to the expression
`x^2-25` where `x=color(blue)(a) and 5=color(blue)(b`

`x^2-25 =color(blue)( x^2-5^2`
`= color(blue)((x+5)(x-5)`