SOLUTION: Factor the following completely. I just really can't get it :( It already looks factored out : 1) (a+b)^2 - 4(a+b) - 3 2) (x-y)^2 - 8(x-y) - 9

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Factor the following completely. I just really can't get it :( It already looks factored out : 1) (a+b)^2 - 4(a+b) - 3 2) (x-y)^2 - 8(x-y) - 9       Log On


   

Question 626924: Factor the following completely. I just really can't get it :( It already looks factored out :
1) (a+b)^2 - 4(a+b) - 3
2) (x-y)^2 - 8(x-y) - 9
Found 2 solutions by reviewermath, psbhowmick:
Answer by reviewermath(1029) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1. Let x+=+a+%2B+b
%28a%2Bb%29%5E2+-+4%28a%2Bb%29+%2B+3 = +x%5E2+-+4x+%2B+3
= +%28x-3%29%28x-1%29+, substitute x+=+a+%2B+b
= highlight%28%28a%2Bb-3%29%28a%2Bb-1%29%29
2. Let p+=+x+-+y
%28x-y%29%5E2+-+8%28x-y%29+-+9 = p%5E2+-+8p+-+9
= %28p-9%29%28p%2B1%29, substitute p+=+x+-+y
= highlight%28%28x-y-9%29%28x-y%2B1%29%29

Answer by psbhowmick(878) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
1) %28a%2Bb%29%5E2+-+4%28a%2Bb%29+-+3
=%28a%2Bb%29%5E2+-+%28a%2Bb%29+-+3%28a%2Bb%29+-+3
=%28a%2Bb%29%28%28a%2Bb%29+-+1%29+-+3%28%28a%2Bb%29+-+1%29
=%28a%2Bb-1%29%28a%2Bb-3%29
2) %28x-y%29%5E2+-+8%28x-y%29+-+9
=%28x-y%29%5E2+-+%28x-y%29+-+9%28x-y%29+-+9
=%28x-y%29%28%28x-y%29+-+1%29+-+9%28%28x-y%29+-+1%29
=%28x-y-1%29%28x-y-9%29