Factor x^2 - 9.

Study for the 8th Grade FAST Mathematics Pre-Algebra Test. Enhance your skills with interactive flashcards and multiple choice questions, each containing hints and explanations to boost your comprehension and readiness for the exam. Get ready to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Factor x^2 - 9.

Explanation:
This is a difference of squares. When you have x^2 minus 9, you can see it as x^2 minus 3^2. The pattern a^2 minus b^2 factors as (a − b)(a + b). Here, a is x and b is 3, so the factors are (x − 3)(x + 3). If you multiply (x − 3)(x + 3), you get x^2 + 3x − 3x − 9, and the middle terms cancel, leaving x^2 − 9. That’s why this pairing works. The other options don’t give x^2 − 9 when expanded. They introduce different middle terms or constants, so they don’t match the original expression.

This is a difference of squares. When you have x^2 minus 9, you can see it as x^2 minus 3^2. The pattern a^2 minus b^2 factors as (a − b)(a + b). Here, a is x and b is 3, so the factors are (x − 3)(x + 3).

If you multiply (x − 3)(x + 3), you get x^2 + 3x − 3x − 9, and the middle terms cancel, leaving x^2 − 9. That’s why this pairing works.

The other options don’t give x^2 − 9 when expanded. They introduce different middle terms or constants, so they don’t match the original expression.

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