Question

how do i solve x^2-256=0 by factoring and applying the zero product property

Answer 1

we know that
\[a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)\]
using this formula write our question as
\[x^2-16^2=0\]
\[(x-16)(x+16)=0\]
or
\[x-16=0\]
\[x+16=0\]
\[x=16\]
\[x=-16\]