Question

factor x^2-25
-------
x + 5 ?????

Answer 1

(x+5)*(x-5)

Answer 2

but once again, how did you get to that solution?

Answer 3

x-5

Answer 4

= (x-5)(x+5) / x+ 5
= x-5

Answer 5

Notice how 25 is the square of 5, and the fact that there are no single power versions of x. That's a big hint when trying to foil exponentials. From there i simply work backwords and multiply x+5 and x-5 to check my guess. Works about 95% of the time.

Answer 6

wow I don't think I will ever get the hang of this....thanks for your help!