Question

Type the correct answer in each box.

Consider the difference of squares identity:
a2 - 62 = (a + b)(a - b).
For the polynomial 9x2 - 49,
and b =
a =
Submit

Answer 1

`a=3x, b=7`

Explanation:

The given polynomial is
`9x^2-49`

We rewrite the polynomial as a difference f two squares.

`9x^2-49=(3x)^2-7^2`

We need to compare this to the difference of squares identity:

`(a^2-b^2)=(a+b)(a-b)`

Putting a=3x and b=7, we have :

`(3x)^2-7^2=(3x+7)(3x-7)`

Therefore
`a=3x, b=7`