Question

Hey, I was wondering how do you factor (a^2-x^2)? (a squared minus x squared) or how you would go about graphing it? Thanks!

Answer 1

The factors are (a+x)(a-x).

To graph it, just pick a series of x values (try x = -10 to 10 in steps of one of two), calculate the corresponding values of a^2 - x^2, call those the y values, and then make a graph of the series of (x,y) values you have calculated. We cannot do the graphing for you.

You will have to choose a value of a before making the calculations and drawing the graph.

Since y = a^2 - x^2, = (a-x)(a+x),
y/a = (1 - x/a)(1 + x/a)

You could make a universal graph y/a vs x/a, and not have to choose a value of a.

Answer 2

I really do not understand what you mean by picking a series of x values from -10 to 10? Do you mean the window? And how do you calculate the corresponding values of a^2-x^2? And do you mean that I'm supposed to just type in a^2-x^2 into my graphing calculator because when I do that no graph shows up?

Answer 3

Try using graph paper instead of a calculator. If you pick value of x and a, surely you can calculate a^2 - x^2. A series of x values from -10 to 10 could be -10, -8, -6, -4, -2, 0, 2, ... 10.

If this makes no sense to you at all, consider hiring a private tutor.

Answer 4

You need to go through a graphing tutorial.
The following half hour tutorial is basic operations, very good:
(Broken Link Removed)


Here is a more advanced tutorial:
http://mtl.math.uiuc.edu/non-credit/basic84plus/ti84plus-tutorial/ti84-tutorial.toc.html

Answer 5

I made a mistake in one formula, which should be
y/a^2 = (1 - x/a)(1 + x/a)

You could either make your plot in terms of y/a^2 vs 1/x, or you would have to pick a value of a (such as 1) before making the graph, and plot y vs x.

I also made a mistake in the phrase that should have read "in steps of one OR two"

Sorry about the confusion these errors of mine may have caused.

I heartily recommend a visit to the tutorials suggested by BobPursley.

I have never used a graphing calculalor. I prefer the old fashioned way of hand drawing them, or plotting graphs from tables made by a spreadsheet such as Excel.

Answer 6

Okay, I totally understand now. Thanks. Sorry, I thought you were trying to explain something to me on the graphing calculator. No wonder!