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

\( (3+20)\times(12+4)= \)

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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