To factor the polynomial \( 16x^8 - 49x^2 \), we can use the difference of squares pattern, which states:
\[ a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) \]
In this case, we can observe that \( 16x^8 \) and \( 49x^2 \) are both perfect squares:
- \( 16x^8 = (4x^4)^2 \)
- \( 49x^2 = (7x)^2 \)
Thus, we can rewrite the polynomial as:
\[ (4x^4)^2 - (7x)^2 \]
Now, applying the difference of squares formula:
\[ (4x^4 - 7x)(4x^4 + 7x) \]
Therefore, the correct option for the pattern to factor \( 16x^8 - 49x^2 \) is:
\[ (a − b)(a + b) = a^2 − b^2 \]
So the response is:
(a − b)(a + b) = a^2 − b^2.