SOLUTION: Explain the differences in factoring 3a^2 - 12a and factoring 4a^2

SOLUTION: Explain the differences in factoring 3a^2 - 12a and factoring 4a^2 - 16.

Question 22385: Explain the differences in factoring
3a^2 - 12a and factoring 4a^2 - 16.

Answer by rapaljer(4671) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
is an example of factoring the common factor. You take out the common factor, which is 3a, and what is left over is (a- 4).

When factoring , you should begin as in the other factoring by taking out the common factor. In this case the common factor is 4.

However, in this case, after taking out the common factor, now you have another factoring problem, this time a DIFFERENCE of TWO SQUARES.

R^2 at SCC
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