4w^2-(3z+1)^2
Use difference of squares pattern to factor. Any suggestions? I have been beaten down with a few of my problems this week.

Question

4w^2-(3z+1)^2
Use difference of squares pattern to factor. Any suggestions?  I have been beaten down with a few of my problems this week.

anonymous · Answer

(2w+3z+1)(2w-3z-1)
this what your asking for?

anonymous · Answer

Correct, but how in the world do I get there? I have missed some step.

anonymous · Answer

just reverse foil.

kainui · Answer

Since you can see that this very general, kind of abstract thing is true:

(a+b)(a-b)=a^2+ab-ab-b^2=a^2-b^2

then if you can just find something squared minus something else squared, you are really just following the pattern.

So in this case, a=(2w) and b=(3z+1). Does this make sense more or less? Think about it a little and see if you can sort of use the relation I showed above to get you from one side to the other.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you both! I appreciate the help!

anonymous · Answer

You both had best response in my opinion. Is there a math problem to figure out how to give you both the thumbs up?

kainui · Answer

Raise both your thumbs, take away the medal from him, then give it to me. Problem solved!