document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=149991>Question 149991</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hello there,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I am currently working on an optional summer packet for school, and I came across this problem. I have the answer available to me, but I don't understand how to get the answer. If you could explain to me how to simplify this expression, I'd greatly appreciate it. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "(<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+sqrt%28+3+%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+sqrt%28+3+%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > + 4<i>i</i><IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+sqrt%28+2+%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+sqrt%28+2+%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)(<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+sqrt%28+3+%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+sqrt%28+3+%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > - 4<i>i</i><IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+sqrt%28+2+%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+sqrt%28+2+%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thank you! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #110095 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><B>nerdybill(7384)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=nerdybill><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=110095\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> If you had:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(a-b)(a+b)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Applying \"FOIL\", you get:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2 + ab - ab - b^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Notice how ab's cancel leaving:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2 - b^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".<BR>\n" );
document.write( "In your problem:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+sqrt%283%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+sqrt%283%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=+4i%2Asqrt%282%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"+4i%2Asqrt%282%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( ".<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2 = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b^2 = -16(2) = -32<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Therefore,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2 - b^2 = 3 - (-32) = 3 + 32 = 34 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );