Final answer:
To find the value of 8 x 12 using the difference of squares formula, we express 8 as (10 - 2) and 12 as (10 + 2), and apply the formula to get 96.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves finding the value of 8 x 12 using the difference of squares formula, which states that (a + b)(a - b) = a² - b². To utilize this formula, we need to express 8 and 12 as the sum and difference of two numbers. We can rewrite 8 as (10 - 2) and 12 as (10 + 2). Now applying the formula:
(10 + 2)(10 - 2) = 10² - 2² = 100 - 4 = 96
Therefore, the value of 8 x 12 using the formula is 96, which corresponds to option (a).