Q2 A of 52 Page 131

Let’s resolve the following algebraic expressions into factors by expressing them as the difference of two squares:

x2-2x-3


Add and subtract the half of square of coefficient of x.




=(x-1)2 – 4


=(x-1)2 – (2)2


Apply the formula a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a-b)


= (x-1-2)(x-1 + 2)


= (x-3)(x + 1)


Hence the factors of x2-2x-3 are (x-3)(x + 1).


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