Solve (x-1)² - (x+2)² = 15: Difference of Squared Binomials

Question

(x1)2(x+2)2=15 (x-1)^2-(x+2)^2=15

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Find X
00:03 We'll use the shortened multiplication formulas to open all parentheses
00:21 Negative times positive is always negative
00:27 Negative times negative is always positive
00:35 Group like terms
00:49 Isolate X
01:08 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the equation, first we'll simplify the algebraic expressions using the perfect square binomial formula:

(a±b)2=a2±2ab+b2 (a\pm b)^2=a^2\pm2ab+b^2 We'll apply the mentioned formula and expand the parentheses in the expressions in the equation:

(x1)2(x+2)2=15x22x1+12(x2+2x2+22)=15x22x+1(x2+4x+4)=15x22x+1x24x4=15 (x-1)^2-(x+2)^2=15 \\ x^2-2\cdot x\cdot1+1^2-(x^2+2\cdot x\cdot2+2^2)=15 \\ x^2-2x+1-(x^2+4x+4)=15\\ x^2-2x+1-x^2-4x-4=15 In the final stage, we used the distributive property to expand the parentheses,

We'll continue and combine like terms, by moving terms between sides, later - we can notice that the squared term cancels out and therefore it's a first-degree equation, which we'll solve by isolating the variable term on one side and dividing both sides of the equation by its coefficient:

x22x+1x24x4=156x=18/:(6)x=3 x^2-2x+1-x^2-4x-4=15 \\ -6x=18\hspace{8pt}\text{/}:(-6)\\ \boxed{x=-3} Therefore, the correct answer is answer B.

Answer

x=3 x=-3