Question

factor completely x^(2) - 4x + 4 - y^(2). i tried factoring something out and then factor by grouping, but all ive done is confuse myself.

Answer 1

factor x^(2) - 4x + 4 first

Answer 2

what do you get?

Answer 3

(-4x + 4 - y^(2))

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

ignore the y^2 term

what do you get when you factor x^2 - 4x + 4

Answer 6

(x-2)^(2)

Answer 7

so

x^2 - 4x + 4 - y^2

becomes

(x-2)^2 - y^2

Answer 8

Now use the difference of squares factoring rule

Answer 9

um. . . (x-2) +y (x-2)-y?

Answer 10

no

Answer 11

a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)

Answer 12

that's the difference of squares factoring rule

Answer 13

oh, but you have it sort of...it should be

(x-2+y)(x-2-y)

Answer 14

oh. the y's go inside the parentheses?

Answer 15

yes

Answer 16

thank you.

Answer 17

yw