Question

how do you factor x2-49 ?

Answer 1

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Question
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x² - 49

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Form into 2 perfect squares
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x² - 7²

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Formula
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a² - b² = (a + b) (a - b)

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Apply the formula
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x² - 7² = (x + 7)(x - 7)

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Answer: (x + 7)(x - 7)
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Answer 2

You want to pull out the square roots of each term since they are both perfect squares.

Factor using the difference of squares formula: a2-b2=(a+b)(a-b)
This formula allows the middle term to cancel out.

=x2 - 49
=(x + 7)(x - 7)


ANSWER: (x + 7)(x - 7)

Hope this helps! :)