Complete the Expression: (x+__)(x-__) = x²-121

Question

Fill in the missing element to obtain a true expression:

(x+)(x)=x2121 (x+_—)\cdot(x-_—)=x^2-121

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Complete the missing value
00:06 We will use the shortened multiplication formulas
00:17 We'll substitute X as A
00:25 and 121 as B
00:29 We'll extract the root and find B
00:36 B is the missing term
00:41 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Identify the given expression as a difference of squares.
  • Apply the formula for finding the missing term in (x+a)(xa)=x2a2 (x+a)(x-a) = x^2 - a^2 .
  • Determine the values of a a to fill in the blanks.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The expression given is (x+_)(x_)=x2121 (x+\_—)\cdot(x-\_—) = x^2-121 . Recognize that x2121 x^2 - 121 is a difference of squares.
Step 2: We know from the difference of squares formula that a2=121 a^2 = 121 .
Step 3: Solve for a a by taking the square root of both sides: a=121=11 a = \sqrt{121} = 11 .

This means the expression becomes: (x+11)(x11)=x2121 (x+11)(x-11) = x^2 - 121 .

Therefore, the missing element is 11 11 .

Answer

11