SOLUTION: Emily has factored a particular polynomial as (a-b)(x-y). George factors the same polynomial and gets (b-a)(y-x). Who is correct and why?

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Question 35576: Emily has factored a particular polynomial as (a-b)(x-y). George factors the same polynomial and gets (b-a)(y-x). Who is correct and why?
Answer by narayaba(40) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Both of them are correct
(a-b)(x-y) can be rewritten as follows
(a-b) = - (b-a) similarly (x-y)= -(y-x)
(a-b)(x-y) = -(b-a)*-(y-x) = -1*-1 (b-a)(y-x) = (b-a)(y-x)