HELP!! This has me stumped!
x^2-4y^2-4x+4
To help you with your question, let's go step by step.
First, let's look at the expression:
x^2 - 4y^2 - 4x + 4
To simplify this expression, we can start by factoring, if possible.
Let's begin with the first two terms: x^2 - 4y^2. This can be simplified using the difference of squares formula, which states that a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b). In this case, a is x and b is 2y. So, by applying the formula, we get:
x^2 - 4y^2 = (x + 2y)(x - 2y)
Now our expression looks like:
(x + 2y)(x - 2y) - 4x + 4
Next, let's focus on the last two terms: -4x + 4. We can factor out a common factor of -4 from these terms:
-4x + 4 = -4(x - 1)
Now our expression becomes:
(x + 2y)(x - 2y) - 4(x - 1)
At this point, the expression is fully factored, and we cannot simplify it any further.
So, the simplified form of the expression x^2 - 4y^2 - 4x + 4 is:
(x + 2y)(x - 2y) - 4(x - 1)