2006-11-15 04:40:28 · 11 answers · asked by 132 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
It's a difference of squares...
If you have (a² - b²) that is equal to (a + b)(a - b)
So in your example:
16 - 9x²
16 = 4² = a²
a = 4
9x² = (3x)² = b²
b = 3x
(a + b)(a - b)
= (4 + 3x)(4 - 3x)
2006-11-15 04:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by Puzzling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a simple case of the "difference of two squares" rule. It's a difference of two squares because:
16-9x^2 = (4)^2 - (3x)^2.
When you have a difference of two squares, the factorization is easy.
16-9x^2 = (4)^2 - (3x)^2 = (4+3x)(4-3x).
2006-11-15 12:44:15 · answer #2 · answered by starryeyedhaze 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you ever have anything like (a)^2 - (b)^2, you cacn always factorise it as (a + b)(a - b)
Here, a = 4, b = 3x
So your answer is (4 + 3x)(4 - 3x)
2006-11-15 12:46:52 · answer #3 · answered by Jerichoholic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16 - 9x^2
(4 + 3x)(4 - 3x)
Check by using the foil method.
4 * 4 = 16
4 * (-3x) = -12x
3x * 4 = 12x
3x * (-3x) = -9x^2
16 - 12x + 12x - 9x^2 --> 12x & -12x cross each other out so...
16 - 9x^2
2006-11-15 13:17:41 · answer #4 · answered by acehernandez2006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16-9x^2 = (4 + 3x)(4 - 3x)
2006-11-15 12:42:35 · answer #5 · answered by Treat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use the quadratic equation or you can notice that you have the difference between two squares which is easily remembered and you should know.
(4+3x)(4-3x)
i think the rest is up to you
2006-11-15 12:43:39 · answer #6 · answered by xian gaon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16-9x² =4^2-(3x)^2
=(4-3x)(4+3x)
2006-11-15 12:43:08 · answer #7 · answered by Dupinder jeet kaur k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16-9x²
(4-3x)(4+3x)
2006-11-15 12:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
difference of two squares
a^2-b^2= (a-b)(a+b)
a=3x b=4
(3x-4)(3x+4) only you have an extra neg
so -(3x-4)(3x+4)
2006-11-15 12:44:00 · answer #9 · answered by math_teacher_02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your answer should be
(4 - 3x)(4 + 3x)
2006-11-15 12:43:07 · answer #10 · answered by Debra C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋