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How do you factor #u^2 - 16v^2#?

1 Answer

Jun 19, 2015

This is a difference of squares:

#u^2-16v^2 = u^2 - (4v)^2 = (u-4v)(u+4v)#

Explanation:

In general #a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)#

Putting #a=u# and #b=4v# we have

#u^2-16v^2 = u^2 - (4v)^2#

#= a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)#

#= (u-4v)(u+4v)#

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