Question

Factor completly
(x-5)^2-16

Answer 1

Step -by -step
( x-5 )^2 - 16
( x -5 )^2 - 4^2
Since both term are perfect squares, factor using the difference of squares formula.
a^2 - b^2 = ( a+b ) ( a-b ) where a = x-5 and b = 4

( x-5+4 ) ( x-5-4 )
( x-1 ) ( x-9 )