Solve (2x+3)(2x-3)=7: Binomial Multiplication Equation

Quadratic Equations with Difference of Squares

Solve the following problem:

(2x+3)(2x3)=7 (2x+3)(2x-3)=7

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 We will use the shortened multiplication formulas to open the parentheses
00:11 We will calculate the exponents
00:20 We will isolate X
00:35 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following problem:

(2x+3)(2x3)=7 (2x+3)(2x-3)=7

2

Step-by-step solution

Solve the following equation. First, we'll simplify the algebraic expressions by using the abbreviated multiplication formula for difference of squares:

(a+b)(ab)=a2b2 (a+b)(a-b)=a^2-b^2

We will then apply the mentioned rule and open the parentheses in the expression in the equation:

(2x+3)(2x3)=7(2x)232=74x232=7 (2x+3)(2x-3)=7 \\ (2x)^2-3^2=7 \\ 4x^2-3^2=7

In the final stage, we distributed the exponent over the parentheses to both multiplication terms inside the parentheses, according to the laws of exponents:

(ab)n=anbn (ab)^n=a^nb^n

Let's continue and combine like terms, by moving terms:

4x232=7 4x29=74x216=0 4x^2-3^2=7 \ 4x^2-9=7 \\ 4x^2-16=0

Next - we can observe that the equation is of the second degree and that the coefficient of the first-degree term is 0. Hence we'll try to solve it using repeated use (in reverse) of the abbreviated multiplication formula for the difference of squares mentioned earlier:

4x216=0?a2b2(2x)242=0!a2b2(2x+4)(2x4)=0(a+b)(ab) 4x^2-16=0\stackrel{?}{\leftrightarrow } a^2-b^2\\ \downarrow\\ (2x)^2-4^2=0 \stackrel{!}{\leftrightarrow } a^2-b^2\\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{(2x+4)(2x-4)=0} \leftrightarrow (a+b)(a-b)\\

From here remember that the product of expressions will yield 0 only if at least one of the multiplying expressions equals zero,

Therefore we obtain two simple equations and we'll proceed to solve them by isolating the unknown in each:

2x+4=02x=4/:2x=2 2x+4=0\\ 2x=-4\hspace{8pt}\text{/}:2\\ \boxed{x=-2}

or:

2x4=02x=4/:2x=2 2x-4=0\\ 2x=4\hspace{8pt}\text{/}:2\\ \boxed{x=2}

Let's summarize the solution to the equation:

(2x+3)(2x3)=7(2x)232=74x216=0(2x+4)(2x4)=02x+4=0x=22x4=0x=2x=2,2 (2x+3)(2x-3)=7 \\ \downarrow\\ (2x)^2-3^2=7 \\ 4x^2-16=0\\ \downarrow\\ (2x+4)(2x-4)=0\\ \downarrow\\ 2x+4=0\rightarrow\boxed{x=-2}\\ 2x-4=0\rightarrow\boxed{x=2}\\ \downarrow\\ \boxed{x=2,-2}

Therefore the correct answer is answer B.

3

Final Answer

x=±2 x=\pm2

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Use (a+b)(ab)=a2b2 (a+b)(a-b) = a^2 - b^2 to expand binomials
  • Technique: Factor 4x216 4x^2 - 16 as (2x)242=(2x+4)(2x4) (2x)^2 - 4^2 = (2x+4)(2x-4)
  • Check: Substitute x=2 x = 2 : (2(2)+3)(2(2)3)=71=7 (2(2)+3)(2(2)-3) = 7 \cdot 1 = 7

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Expanding incorrectly without using difference of squares formula
    Don't expand (2x+3)(2x3) (2x+3)(2x-3) by FOILing each term separately = messy calculations and errors! This wastes time and increases mistakes. Always recognize the pattern (a+b)(ab) (a+b)(a-b) and use a2b2 a^2 - b^2 directly.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

It is possible to use the distributive property to simplify the expression below?

What is its simplified form?

\( (ab)(c d) \)

\( \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I recognize when to use the difference of squares formula?

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Look for the pattern (a+b)(ab) (a+b)(a-b) where you have the same terms but opposite signs in the middle. In (2x+3)(2x3) (2x+3)(2x-3) , notice that 2x appears in both and the signs of 3 are opposite.

Why do I get two solutions for this equation?

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This is a quadratic equation in disguise! When you expand and simplify, you get 4x216=0 4x^2 - 16 = 0 . Quadratic equations typically have two solutions because a parabola can cross the x-axis at two points.

What does the zero product property mean?

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If (2x+4)(2x4)=0 (2x+4)(2x-4) = 0 , then at least one factor must equal zero. This is because the only way to multiply two numbers and get 0 is if one (or both) of them is 0.

Can I solve this without factoring?

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Yes! You could use the quadratic formula on 4x216=0 4x^2 - 16 = 0 , but factoring using difference of squares is much faster and cleaner for this type of problem.

How do I check both solutions?

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Substitute each value back into the original equation:

  • For x=2 x = 2 : (4+3)(43)=71=7 (4+3)(4-3) = 7 \cdot 1 = 7
  • For x=2 x = -2 : (4+3)(43)=(1)(7)=7 (-4+3)(-4-3) = (-1)(-7) = 7

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