Question

What are the solutions to the quadratic equation x2-16=0

Answer 1

Answer:

x = -4, 4

Step-by-step explanation:

Hi there!

$x^2-16=0$

Rewrite 16:

$x^2-4^2=0$

The difference of squares rule states that $a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)$. With this, apply the difference of squares to the equation:

$(x+4)(x-4)=0$

The zero-product property states that if the product of two numbers is 0, then one of the numbers must be equal to zero. Set each term equal to 0 and find the solutions:

$x+4=0\\x=-4$

$x-4=0\\x=4$

Therefore, the solutions are -4 and 4.

I hope this helps!