Thread: factoring is confusing me. help...

i really need help with some factoring!!
ive been working on these 2 problems foreverrr!!!!!!!!!!

(x+a)^2 - 2(x+a) (y+a) + (y+a)^2

and

x^2-8x(x-3y) +16(x-3y)^2

Hi xosherry,


For the first problem,


try a change of variables to maybe simplify things
let then rewriting the equation results in



now replacing what we defined as u and v we get



For the second problem

using the same technique let
rewriting the equation will result in



factor this expression and back substitute for u and v


Hope this helps

Originally Posted by Nokio720

Hi xosherry,


For the first problem,


try a change of variables to maybe simplify things

Hope this helps

A very tiny typo
Just remember the formula he has given