How do you factor x2 - y2?

In algebra, there is an identity for the difference of squares.

Answer: x2 − y2 can be factorised as ( x − y ) ( x + y )

We can proceed step by step to solve this problem.

Explanation:

The identity used in algebra for difference of squares is  x2 − y2 = ( x − y ) ( x + y )

We can proceed from right hand side of the equation to verify the given expression.

( x − y ) ( x + y ) = x 2 + x y − y x − y 2

= x2 + xy − xy − y2 

= x2 − y2      

Thus, x2 − y2 can be factorized as ( x − y ) ( x + y ).

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