The expression x^2-7 is not factorable using integer values. But the expression can be written in the form X^2-(Square root7)^2 enabling us to factor it as a “binomial” and its conjugate: (x+square root 7)(x-square root 7) Use this idea to factor the following expressions.

Question

1. X^2-5

Answer 1

x^2 - 5 = (x+√5)(x-√5)

check by expanding it