Question

Completely factor the given polynomial, if possible. If the polynomial cannot be factored, indicate "Not Factorable".

9x2−16

Answer 1

The polynomial
`9x^2 - 16` can be factorized as (3x + 4)(3x - 4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The given polynomial,
`9x^2 - 16,` is a difference of squares.

This means we can factor it using the formula for a difference of squares:
`a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b)`

Using this formula, we can rewrite the polynomial as
`(3x)^2 - 4^2.`

Now we have
`a^2 - b^2,` where a = 3x and b = 4.

Using the formula, we can factor the polynomial as (3x + 4)(3x - 4).