Question

The product shown is a difference of squares. What is the missing constant term in the second factor?

(–5x – 3)(–5x +?

Answer 1

`\boxed{3)}`

Explanation:

A difference of squares has the form (a - b)(a + b)

Your expression is (-5x - 3)(-5x + ?

Let's compare this with your expression.

`\begin{array}{cclccl}(a & - & b) & (a & + & b)\\\downarrow & & \downarrow & \downarrow & & \downarrow \\(-5x & - & 3) & (-5x & + & \mathbf{3)} \\\end{array}\\\\\text{The missing term is }\boxed{\mathbf{3)}}`