How do you factor the expression $(x+3)^2 - 4$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-20T12:26:32

Use difference of squares identity to find:

$(x+3)^2-4=(x+1)(x+5)$

The difference of squares identity can be written:

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

Use this with $a=(x+3)$ and $b=2$ as follows:

$(x+3)^2-4$

$=(x+3)^2-2^2$

$=((x+3)-2)((x+3)+2)$

$=(x+1)(x+5)$

How do you factor the expression (x+3)^2 - 4(x+3)^2 - 4?