How do you factor (b+2)^2 - (b-2)^2(b+2)2(b2)2?

1 Answer
Dec 6, 2015

8b8b

Explanation:

p^2 - q^2 = (p+q)(p-q)p2q2=(p+q)(pq)

If p = (b+2)p=(b+2) and q = (b-2)q=(b2)
Then the expression to be factored = ((b+2) + (b-2))((b+2) - (b-2))((b+2)+(b2))((b+2)(b2))
= (2b)(4)=(2b)(4)
=8b8b

This result can also be shown by simply expanding both square terms of the expression:

(b^2 + 4b + 4) - (b^2 -4b + 4) = 8b(b2+4b+4)(b24b+4)=8b