Factor the polynomial
-$r^{2}+2 r s+s^{2}-16$
A) $\left(r^{2}+4\right)\left(s^{2}-4\right)$
B) $(\mathrm{r}-\mathrm{s}+4)(\mathrm{r}-\mathrm{s}-4)$
C) $(\mathrm{r}+\mathrm{s}+4)(\mathrm{r}-\mathrm{s}-4)$
D) $(\mathrm{r}+\mathrm{s}+4)(\mathrm{r}+\mathrm{s}-4)$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given polynomial $r^{2}+2 r s+s^{2}-16$ can be rewritten as $(r+s)^{2}-4^2$, which is a difference of squares. Factoring a difference of squares gives $(r+s+4)(r+s-4)$.