Question

How do you write `x^2 – 196` in factored form?

Answer 1

`color(blue)((x+14)(x-14)` is the factorised format.

Explanation:

`x^2-196 = x^2 - 14^2`

As per identity:
`color(blue)(a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)`

The expression `x^2 - 14^2` represents the same identity.

Here:
`color(blue)(a=x)`
`color(blue)(b=14)`

So,`x^2 - 14^2 = color(blue)((x+14)(x-14)`