Question

How do you factor the trinomial `242a^2 - 2b^2`?

Answer 1

`242a^2-2b^2 = 2(11a-b)(11a+b)`

Explanation:

The difference of squares identity can be written:

`A^2-B^2 = (A-B)(A+B)`

Use this with `A=11a` and `B=b` as follows:

`242a^2-2b^2 = 2(121a^2-b^2)`

`color(white)(242a^2-2b^2) = 2((11a)^2-b^2)`

`color(white)(242a^2-2b^2) = 2(11a-b)(11a+b)`