Q:

25 (a square) - 4 (b square) + 28bc - 49 (c square)

Accepted Solution

A:
Answer: (5a - [2b - 7c]) and (5a + [2b + 7c])Step-by-step explanation:Factor 25a^2 - 4b^2 + 28bc - 49c^2.Note that - 4b^2 + 28bc - 49c^2 involves the variables b and c, whereas 25a^2 has only one variable.  Thus, try to rewrite - 4b^2 + 28bc - 49c^2 as the square of a binomial:- 4b^2 + 28bc - 49c^2 = -(4b^2 - 28bc + 49c^2), or                                         -(2b - 7c)^2.Thus, the original  25a^2 - 4b^2 + 28bc - 49c^2  looks like:                                [5a]^2 - [2b - 7c]^2Recall that a^2 - b^2 is a special product, the product of (a + b) and (a - b).  Applying this pattern to the problem at hand, we conclude:Thus,   [5a]^2 - [2b - 7c]^2 has the factors (5a - [2b - 7c]) and (5a + [2b + 7c])