Question

Question #5e199

Answer 1

`"yes "(b-4)(b+4)`

Explanation:

`"a difference of two squares is what it says 2 square numbers"`
`"separated by a subtraction"`

`"for example"`

`25=5^2" and "16=4^2" are two squares"`

`"note that "25-16=9`

`"and " (5-4)(5+4)=1xx9=9`

`"this is the way they are factorised"`

`"in general "`

`•color(white)(x)a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)`

`rArrb^2-16=(b-4)(b+4)`

Answer 2

`b^2 -16 = (b+4)(b-4)`

Explanation:

The expression "difference or two squares describes exactly what is involved.

"Difference" means to subtract terms

"Two" there are are TWO terms involved

"Squares" are recognized by:
square numbers and variables with even powers.
(A square number is formed by multiplying a number by itself. )

The squares are: `1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81,....` and so

The difference of squares is factorised as:

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

`b^2 and 16` are both squares and they are being subtracted.
This is the difference of two squares and can be factorised

`b^2 -16 = (b+4)(b-4)`