Determine the approach: Determine the approach to factor 16−49x2.We can observe that both terms are perfect squares and they are subtracted from each other. This suggests that we can use the difference of squares method to factor the expression.
Write in the form: Write 16−49x2 in the form of a2−b2.16 can be written as 42 and 49x2 can be written as (7x)2. Therefore, we have:16−49x2=42−(7x)2
Apply difference of squares: Apply the difference of squares formula.The difference of squares formula is a2−b2=(a−b)(a+b). We can apply this to our expression:42−(7x)2=(4−7x)(4+7x)
Write final factored form: Write the final factored form.The factored form of 16−49x2 is (4−7x)(4+7x).
More problems from Factor quadratics: special cases