Factor by any method.
-$$( q - 8 ) ^ { 2 } - 25$$
A) $( q - 3 ) ( q - 13 )$
B) $( q + 13 ) ( q - 13 )$
C) $\left[ ( q - 8 ) ^ { 2 } + 5 \right] \left[ ( q - 8 ) ^ { 2 } - 5 \right]$
D) $( q - 3 ) ^ { 2 }$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The expression is a difference of squares, which can be factored as $( a + b ) ( a - b )$. In this case, $a = q - 8$ and $b = 5$, so the factors are $( q - 8 + 5 ) ( q - 8 - 5 ) = ( q - 3 ) ( q - 13 )$.

Factor by Any Method (q−8)2−25( q - 8 ) ^ { 2 } - 25(q−8)2−25

Factor by Any Method $( q - 8 ) ^ { 2 } - 25$