how do you factor:

Question

(a - b)^2 - c^2

Answer 1

recall that x^2-y^2 = (x-y)(x+y)
so, substitute in x = a-b and y=c.

Answer 2

so how do i do
x^2 - (y - z)^2

Answer 3

is the answer
x^2 - (y - z)^2
= [x- (y-z)] [ x+ (y-z)]
= (x-y-z) (x+y-z)

Answer 4

^is that right??

Answer 5

let x = (a-b)
let y = c
then you have
x^2 - y^2 = (x-y)(x+y)
now put in (a-b) for x
and
put in c for y

Answer 6

oh okay that's for the first question i think but what about this question
x^2-(y - z)^2 ??

Answer 7

x^2-(y - z)^2

exactly the same way
let a = x
let b = y-z
now you have
a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)
so
[x -(y-z) ] [ x + (y-z) ]

(x-y+z)(x+y-z) you were close

Answer 8

why does (y-z) turn to (y+z) ??

Answer 9

yOU HAVE
[X - [Y-Z) ]
THAT IS
[ X - Y - NEGATIVE Z ]
- A NEGATIVE IS POSITIVE
[ X -Y PLUS Z ]

Answer 10

sorry about the caps, was doing tax returns with caps lock on

Answer 11

ohh ok thanks! :)