How would you factor (x-p)^2-p^2?

3 ⤊

2007-11-13 16:59:34 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics

(x - p)^2 - p^2
x^2 - 2px + p^2 - p^2
= x^2 - 2px

2007-11-13 17:03:00 · answer #1 · answered by rnygelle87 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋

this is simply a^2 - b^2 = (a-b) (a+b)

so, with a = x-p, and b= p

(x -p - p) (x - p + p) = (x-2p) x

2007-11-14 01:11:19 · answer #2 · answered by Zentraed 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋

[(a-p)-p] [(a-p)+p]

I think this is right.
A factor are things multiplied together to get what you started with the first guy is absolutley wrong.

2007-11-14 01:06:48 · answer #3 · answered by Small Victories 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋

First guy is correct.

2007-11-14 01:08:21 · answer #4 · answered by zeroblank57 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋

(x - p - p)(x - p + p)
( x - 2p ) ( x )

2007-11-14 12:18:01 · answer #5 · answered by Como 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋