10-22-2008, 06:19 PM
The factors of a^2 - b^2 are (a + b) and (a - b). In other words:
(a + b)(a - b) = a^2 + ab - ab - b^2 = a^2 - b^2
Therefore, the factors of 36 - (a - b)^2 are (6 + (a - b)) and (6 - (a - b)). That means that only answer (b) is correct. (The other factor would simplify to "6 - a + b", not "6 - a - b" as in answer ©.)
Hope that helps.
-Gary-
(a + b)(a - b) = a^2 + ab - ab - b^2 = a^2 - b^2
Therefore, the factors of 36 - (a - b)^2 are (6 + (a - b)) and (6 - (a - b)). That means that only answer (b) is correct. (The other factor would simplify to "6 - a + b", not "6 - a - b" as in answer ©.)
Hope that helps.
-Gary-
![[-]](https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/images/collapse.png)