Question

Which factoring pattern should you use to solve 225x² - 400 = 0?

a) Difference of squares
b) Perfect square trinomial
c) Sum of cubes
d) Difference of cubes

Answer 1

To solve the equation 225x² - 400 = 0, you should use the difference of squares factoring pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation 225x² - 400 = 0, we need to factor it. The factoring pattern to use in this case is the difference of squares. The expression can be written as (15x)^2 - 20^2 = 0.

To continue factoring, we apply the formula for the difference of squares, which states that (a^2 - b^2) = (a + b)(a - b). So, we can write the equation as (15x + 20)(15x - 20) = 0.

By setting each factor equal to zero and solving for x, we find two solutions: x = -20/15 and x = 20/15.