Solution - Factoring binomials using the difference of squares
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 :
18*a^2-(8)=0
Step by step solution :
Step 1 :
Equation at the end of step 1 :
(2•32a2) - 8 = 0
Step 2 :
Step 3 :
Pulling out like terms :
3.1 Pull out like factors :
18a2 - 8 = 2 • (9a2 - 4)
Trying to factor as a Difference of Squares :
3.2 Factoring: 9a2 - 4
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 : 9 is the square of 3
Check : 4 is the square of 2
Check : a2 is the square of a1
Factorization is : (3a + 2) • (3a - 2)
Equation at the end of step 3 :
2 • (3a + 2) • (3a - 2) = 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 : 2 = 0
This equation has no solution.
A a non-zero constant never equals zero.
Solving a Single Variable Equation :
4.3 Solve : 3a+2 = 0
Subtract 2 from both sides of the equation :
3a = -2
Divide both sides of the equation by 3:
a = -2/3 = -0.667
Solving a Single Variable Equation :
4.4 Solve : 3a-2 = 0
Add 2 to both sides of the equation :
3a = 2
Divide both sides of the equation by 3:
a = 2/3 = 0.667
Two solutions were found :
- a = 2/3 = 0.667
- a = -2/3 = -0.667
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