How do you solve #(x+a)^2-b^2 = 0# by factoring?

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Answer 1 · 2015-08-28T14:06:44

#color(green)(x = -a - b or x = -a + b#

We use the identity #color(blue)(p^2 - q^2 = (p+q)*(p-q)#

Here # p = x+ a# and #q = b#

Hence #(x+a)^2-b^2 = 0# can be written as :

#(x+a + b) (x + a - b) = 0#

This implies that:

#x + a + b = 0 or x + a - b = 0#

#color(green)(x = -a - b or x = -a + b#