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Factor a^2-x^2-a-x  TOPIC_SOLVED

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Factor a^2-x^2-a-x

Postby Jherek2 on Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:17 pm

Hi, I have a problem: Factor a^2-x^2-a-x

I know what the answer is, but I don't understand how to get there...

I get as far as taking out the difference of two squares

(a+x)(a-x)-a-x

and now I'm lost as how to continue to get the answer which is (a+x)(a-x+1) it looks simple, but I'm baffled!
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Re: Factor a^2-x^2-a-x  TOPIC_SOLVED

Postby maggiemagnet on Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:59 pm

Jherek2 wrote:Factor a^2-x^2-a-x

I know what the answer is, but I don't understand how to get there...

They show here how to do this paired factoring:

a2 - x2 - a - x
(a - x)(a + x) - (a + x)
(a - x)(a + x) - 1(a + x)

Do you see how to get to the answer now?
:clap:
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Re: Factor a^2-x^2-a-x

Postby Jherek2 on Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:30 am

Ah, yes! Now I can see. I looked at that for so long, but for some reason it just wouldn't form in my head! Thanks very much. :D
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