Precalculus Examples

${(2 x - 1)}^{2} - 16$

Step 1

Rewrite $16$ as $4^{2}$ .

${(2 x - 1)}^{2} - 4^{2}$

Step 2

Since both terms are perfect squares, factor using the difference of squares formula, $a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$ where $a = 2 x - 1$ and $b = 4$ .

$(2 x - 1 + 4) (2 x - 1 - 4)$

Step 3

Simplify.

Tap for more steps...

Step 3.1

Add $- 1$ and $4$ .

$(2 x + 3) (2 x - 1 - 4)$

Step 3.2

Subtract $4$ from $- 1$ .

$(2 x + 3) (2 x - 5)$