Question 627072: Kelly factored 16-8x + x2 as (x-4)2, while Tony factored it as (4-x)^2. Are they
both correct? Why or why not?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! (a-b)^2 = (a-b)(a-b)
(a-b)^2 = (-1(-a+b))(-1(-a+b))
(a-b)^2 = (-1)*(-1)*(-a+b)*(-a+b)
(a-b)^2 = (-1)*(-1)*(b-a)*(b-a)
(a-b)^2 = 1*(b-a)*(b-a)
(a-b)^2 = (b-a)(b-a)
(a-b)^2 = (b-a)^2
That last equation is true for all values of 'a' and 'b'
In this case, a = x and b = 4, so
(a-b)^2 = (b-a)^2
becomes
(x-4)^2 = (4-x)^2
which is true for all values of x
So they are both correct.
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