16Hit1600
Advanced MathVery hardWhich expression equals a given difference for every x

Advanced Math practice question

For every value of x, which expression is equal to (x + 2)² − (x − 2)²?

  1. A. 8xCorrect
  2. B. 0
  3. C. 4x
  4. D. 2x² + 8

Answer: A. 8x

(x² + 4x + 4) − (x² − 4x + 4) = 8x. Or (a − b)(a + b) with a − b = 4 and a + b = 2x.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 0
The two squares differ unless x = 0.
C. 4x
4x halves the answer; the middle terms are +4x and −4x, giving 8x.
D. 2x² + 8
2x² + 8 is the SUM of the two squares.

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