Enter an equation or problem
Camera input is not recognized!

Solution - Factoring binomials using the difference of squares

x=
x=
x=¬ative
x=negative

Step by Step Solution

Step by step solution :

Step  1  :

Equation at the end of step  1  :

  ((2•3x25) • x) -  6  = 0 

Step  2  :

Step  3  :

Pulling out like terms :

 3.1     Pull out like factors :

   6x26 - 6  =   6 • (x26 - 1) 

Trying to factor as a Difference of Squares :

 3.2      Factoring:  x26 - 1 

Theory : A difference of two perfect squares,  A2 - B2  can be factored into  (A+B) • (A-B)

Proof :  (A+B) • (A-B) =
         A2 - AB + BA - B2 =
         A2 - AB + AB - B2 =
         A2 - B2

Note :  AB = BA is the commutative property of multiplication.

Note :  - AB + AB equals zero and is therefore eliminated from the expression.

Check : 1 is the square of 1
Check :  x26  is the square of  x13 

Factorization is :       (x13 + 1)  •  (x13 - 1) 

Equation at the end of step  3  :

  6 • (x13 + 1) • (x13 - 1)  = 0 

Step  4  :

Theory - Roots of a product :

 4.1    A product of several terms equals zero. 

 
When a product of two or more terms equals zero, then at least one of the terms must be zero. 

 
We shall now solve each term = 0 separately 

 
In other words, we are going to solve as many equations as there are terms in the product 

 
Any solution of term = 0 solves product = 0 as well.

Equations which are never true :

 4.2      Solve :    6   =  0

This equation has no solution.
A a non-zero constant never equals zero.

Solving a Single Variable Equation :

 4.3      Solve  :    x13+1 = 0 

 
Subtract  1  from both sides of the equation : 
 
                     x13 = -1
                     x  =  13th root of (-1) 

 
Negative numbers have real 13th roots.
 13th root of (-1) = 13 -1• 1  = 13 -1 13 1  =(-1)•13 1 

The equation has one real solution, a negative number This solution is  x = negative

Solving a Single Variable Equation :

 4.4      Solve  :    x13-1 = 0 

 
Add  1  to both sides of the equation : 
 
                     x13 = 1
                     x  =  13th root of (1) 

 
The equation has one real solution
This solution is  x =

Two solutions were found :

  1.  x =
  2.  x = negative

Why learn this

Latest Related Drills Solved