Question

Factor as the product of two binomials x ^2 -4

Answer 1

The expression x^2 - 4 is factored as (x + 2)(x - 2), which is an application of the difference of squares.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asked to factor the expression x^2 - 4 as the product of two binomials. This expression is a difference of squares, which is a special factoring case. According to this pattern, a^2 - b^2 can be factored into (a + b)(a - b). Therefore, applying this to x^2 - 4, where a is x and b is 2, the expression factors to (x + 2)(x - 2).

Answer 2

Rewrite this as x^2 - 2^2.

This is a special product, the difference of two squares. The factors are

(x-2) and (x+2).