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Solution - Factoring binomials using the difference of squares

x=12
x=12
x=12
x=-12

Step by Step Solution

Rearrange:

Rearrange the equation by subtracting what is to the right of the equal sign from both sides of the equation :

                     x^(2)-(144)=0 

Step by step solution :

Step  1  :

Trying to factor as a Difference of Squares :

 1.1      Factoring:  x2-144 

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 : 144 is the square of 12
Check :  x2  is the square of  x1 

Factorization is :       (x + 12)  •  (x - 12) 

Equation at the end of step  1  :

  (x + 12) • (x - 12)  = 0 

Step  2  :

Theory - Roots of a product :

 2.1    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.

Solving a Single Variable Equation :

 2.2      Solve  :    x+12 = 0 

 
Subtract  12  from both sides of the equation : 
 
                     x = -12

Solving a Single Variable Equation :

 2.3      Solve  :    x-12 = 0 

 
Add  12  to both sides of the equation : 
 
                     x = 12

Two solutions were found :

  1.  x = 12
  2.  x = -12

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