The expression \( x^2 - 64 \) can be factored using the difference of squares formula. The difference of squares states that:
\[ a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) \]
In this case, you can rewrite \( x^2 - 64 \) as \( x^2 - 8^2 \). Thus, you have:
\[ x^2 - 64 = (x - 8)(x + 8) \]
So, the factored form of \( x^2 - 64 \) is \( (x - 8)(x + 8) \). This expression represents the difference of squares of \( x \) and 8.