SOLUTION: reduce to lowest terms x^2-12x+36 x^2-36

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Question 108410: reduce to lowest terms
x^2-12x+36
x^2-36
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, checkley71:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28x%5E2-12x%2B36%29%2F%28x%5E2-36%29 Start with the given expression


%28x-6%29%28x-6%29%2F%28x%5E2-36%29 Factor the numerator

%28x-6%29%28x-6%29%2F%28%28x-6%29%28x%2B6%29%29 Factor the denominator


%28x-6%29cross%28x-6%29%2F%28cross%28x-6%29%28x%2B6%29%29 Cancel like terms


%28x-6%29%2F%28x%2B6%29 Simplify

Answer by checkley71(8403) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
find factors of 36 that have a sum of -12 & a product of 36.
factors are (1&36,-1&-16,2&18,-2&-18,3&12,-3&-12,6&6,-6&-6)
the only group that meets these requirements are (-6&-6)
thus: -6-6=-12
-6*-6=36
x^2-12x+36=(x-6)(x-6)
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x^2-36=(x+6)(x-6)