Question

Factor the following
(y-1)^2-4

Answer 1

(y - 3)(y + 1)

Explanation:

Given

(y - 1)² - 4 ← this is a difference of squares and factors in general as

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b), thus

(y - 1)² - 4

= (y - 1)² - 2²

= (y - 1 - 2)(y - 1 + 2)

= (y - 3)(y + 1) ← in factored form