Factorize the following polynomial using the difference of squares method: \(x^2 - 9\)
Substitute \(a = x\) and \(b = 3\) into the formula to get the factors. So, \(x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)\).
Step 1 :First, identify if the polynomial is a difference of squares. This means the polynomial should be in the form \(a^2 - b^2\).
Step 2 :In the polynomial \(x^2 - 9\), \(a = x\) and \(b = 3\) because \(x^2 = (x)^2\) and \(9 = (3)^2\). So, it is a difference of squares.
Step 3 :Now, use the formula for factoring a difference of squares, which is \(a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)\).
Step 4 :Substitute \(a = x\) and \(b = 3\) into the formula to get the factors. So, \(x^2 - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)\).