SOLUTION: I need help factoring this: x^2-2xy+y^2-a^2-2ab-b^2 Thanks for your help and time.

Algebra ->  Square-cubic-other-roots -> SOLUTION: I need help factoring this: x^2-2xy+y^2-a^2-2ab-b^2 Thanks for your help and time.      Log On


   

Question 98008: I need help factoring this:
x^2-2xy+y^2-a^2-2ab-b^2
Thanks for your help and time.
Answer by timmy1729(23) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Divide and conquer! Split this up and you will get it.
x%5E2-2%2Ax%2Ay%2By%5E2 is the first part. This is a simple expansion of
%28x-y%29%5E2
The second part: a%5E2-2%2Aa%2Ab-b%5E2 is a simple expansion of
%28a%2Bb%29%5E2 if you first factor out a -1, which is already in the problem.
-1%2A%28a%5E2%2B2%2Aa%2Ab%2Bb%5E2%29 This is done when you put your parentheses around the second polynomial a%5E2-2%2Aa%2Ab-b%5E2
So, the factored version is
%28x-y%29%5E2-%28a%2Bb%29%5E2