Question 190651


{{{x^2-144}}} Start with the given expression.



{{{(x)^2-144}}} Rewrite {{{x^2}}} as {{{(x)^2}}}.



{{{(x)^2-(12)^2}}} Rewrite {{{144}}} as {{{(12)^2}}}.



Notice how we have a difference of squares {{{A^2-B^2}}} where in this case {{{A=x}}} and {{{B=12}}}.



So let's use the difference of squares formula {{{A^2-B^2=(A+B)(A-B)}}} to factor the expression:



{{{A^2-B^2=(A+B)(A-B)}}} Start with the difference of squares formula.



{{{(x)^2-(12)^2=(x+12)(x-12)}}} Plug in {{{A=x}}} and {{{B=12}}}.



So this shows us that {{{x^2-144}}} factors to {{{(x+12)(x-12)}}}.



In other words {{{x^2-144=(x+12)(x-12)}}}.