Factor the polynomial x^2 - 16

Question

Chasity Vargas

Mathematics

1 May, 06:56

Factor the polynomial x^2 - 16

+3

Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Chaz Serrano · Answer 1

Here's the way I like to think through these factoring problems involving the difference of two squares. First, make sure dealing with a perfect square minus a perfect square. In this case we are.

So this binomial will factor as the product of two binomials.

The first binomial will have a + in the middle and the second binomial will have a - in the middle. In the first position, we will have the factors of x² that are the same so x time x. In the second position will be the factors of 16 that are the same, 12 times 12.

(x + 4) (x - 4) is your answer, a factored version of x² - 16.

Hadassah Vega · Answer 2

Answer : (x+4) (x-4), when factored out, is x^2-4x+4x-16.

combine like terms and the - 4x and 4x cancel leaving you your original problem x^2-16.