Question

How do you factor this problem?

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

Thank you.

Answer 1

Normaly, you would try to write it as (x+a)² -(y+b)².
Here: there is just a lone y², so we have no business with that one.
Now you just have to factor x²+4x+4, which is (x+a)², with a real easy a...

Answer 2

Thank you very much for the help. I understand it now.

Answer 3

You're welcome!