Question

Each blank should be filled with a single whole number greater than 1. factor: 900 - 1 = ( )( )

Answer 1

The answer is 31 and 29. 

Answer 2

900 - 1= (31)(29)

Explanation:

We need to factor 900 -1

We write each number in square form

900 can be written as 30^2

1 can be written as 1^2

`900 - 1= 30^2 - 1^2`

Now we apply difference of square formula

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

`30^2 - 1^2=(30+1)(30-1)`

So 900 - 1= (31)(29)