Question 170243
Solve for x. 
problem #1 
____x^2______ = 
x^2 – 6x – 16 

___16____ 
(x+8)(x–2) 

I can get as far as;
____x^2___ = 
(x-8)(x+2) 

____16____
(x+8)(x-2)

but not sure what to do now... 
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Do you mean Solve for x. 
problem #1 
____x^2______ = 
x^2 – 6x – 16 

___16____ 
(x+8)(x–2) 

I can get as far as;
____x^2___ = 
(x-8)(x+2) 

____16____
(x+8)(x-2)
-------------
The DENs are the same, so x^2 = 16
x = +4, x = -4
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problem #2 
__x__ = 
x^2-9 

__1__
(x+3) 

so far I have, 
____x____ = 
(x-3)(x+3) 

__1__
(x+3) 
--------
Multiply thru by (x+3)
x/(x-3) = 1
x = x-3
That's inconsistent, no solution.
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#3 is too confusing.  Try to write it using parentheses, or scan it and email it.