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Given that p + q = 12 and p² - q² = 60, find the value of p - q.

User Sebnukem
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

p - q = 5

Explanation:

You have p+q = 12 and p²-q² = 60. You want the value of p-q.

Difference of squares

The difference of squares is factored as ...

p² -q² = (p +q)(p -q)

Substituting given values, this becomes ...

60 = 12(p -q)

Dividing by 12 gives the difference of interest:

5 = p -q

User Dajood
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