Factor m^2-k^2+6k-9
^2 means squared. I don't know any other way to type it. Thanks.
Seems to me you can only do this in 2 pieces...factor the first 2, then the last 2...
(m+k)(m-k) + 3(2k+3)
Whadya think?
hmmm...
I looked in the back of the book and it says...
(m-k+3)(m+k-3)
I don't know how to get to this though.
I probably should have told you the answer earlier, it might have helped.
Know how to get to that?
Sorry, I don't. Maybe someone else does! Perhaps you should post this question again so other responders will see it and won't think it's already answered. And I think it's a good idea to post the answer like you just did, so they'll know you're not just looking for the answer!
No problem! I can help explain how to factor the expression m^2-k^2+6k-9 to get the answer (m-k+3)(m+k-3).
To factor this expression, we can use the method of grouping. Here's the step-by-step process:
1. Group the terms in pairs:
(m^2 - k^2) + (6k - 9)
2. Factor the first group, which is a difference of squares:
(m - k)(m + k) + (6k - 9)
3. Factor out the greatest common factor from the second group, which is 3:
(m - k)(m + k) + 3(2k - 3)
4. At this point, we have two binomial expressions: (m - k)(m + k) and 3(2k - 3). We can see that the terms (-k) and (+k) are opposites, so we can factor out (-1) from the first binomial to get (m - k). Similarly, we can factor out 3 from the second binomial to get (2k - 3).
Putting it all together, we get:
(m - k)(m + k) + 3(2k - 3)
Combining like terms, the final answer is:
(m - k + 3)(m + k - 3)
I hope this explanation helps you understand how to factor the expression!