SOLUTION: Jeremiah found the product of 31 and 29 as 899 by finding 30^2 and subtracting 1. Explain how Jeremiah could justify this approach.

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Question 972546: Jeremiah found the product of 31 and 29 as 899 by finding 30^2 and subtracting 1. Explain how Jeremiah could justify this approach.
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Jeremiah found the product of 31 and 29 as 899 by finding 30^2 and subtracting 1. Explain how Jeremiah could justify this approach.
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a%5E2+-+b%5E2+=+%28a-b%29%2A%28a%2Bb%29
899+=+900-1+=+30%5E2+-+1%5E2
899 = (30+1)*(30-1)
= 31*29