Question

(x^2 + 4)(x^2 - 4) = what??
finding product formuals using the special formual product (simplify)

Answer 1

this is difference of two squares \[(a+b)(a-b) = a^2 - b^2\]
does that help?

Answer 2

no please help

Answer 3

look carefully at (x^2 + 4)(x^2 - 4)

can't you see it's in the form (a+b)(a-b)?

Answer 4

yes i can see that..

Answer 5

?

Answer 6

so.. what do you think is the a in (x^2+4)(x^2 - 4)

Answer 7

4

Answer 8

8?

Answer 9

Okay, I wrote an article on how to multiply polynomials that you might want to check out:
http://melbel.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Multiply-Polynomials-with-Examples

But for now, we'll just distribute the terms. So your problem is:
(x^2 + 4)(x^2 - 4)

You're going to start by taking the first term in the first binomial x^2 and multiply it by the first term in the second binomial x^2. Write down the answer.

Then you're going to take the first term of the the first binomial (x^2 again) and multiply it by the second term in the second binomial -4. Write down the answer.

Okay, we're done distributing the first term, so now we're going to distribute the second term in the first binomial, which is 4.

So we're going to take 4 and multiply it by the first term in the second binomial x^2. Write down the answer.

Then you're going to take the 4 again and multiple it by -4 (the second term in the second binomial. Write down the answer.

Okay, you should have four answers written down. Combine like terms and you're done.

Answer 10

ca you see that?