Solving the Equation: (x-4)^2 - 25 = 0
This equation is a quadratic equation in disguise. Let's break down how to solve it:
1. Simplifying the Equation
We can rewrite the equation by recognizing that 25 is the square of 5:
(x-4)^2 - 5^2 = 0
Now, we can apply the difference of squares factorization:
(a^2 - b^2) = (a+b)(a-b)
Applying this to our equation:
(x-4+5)(x-4-5) = 0
This simplifies to:
(x+1)(x-9) = 0
2. Finding the Solutions
For the product of two factors to be zero, at least one of the factors must be zero. Therefore, we have two possible solutions:
- x + 1 = 0 => x = -1
- x - 9 = 0 => x = 9
Conclusion
The solutions to the equation (x-4)^2 - 25 = 0 are x = -1 and x = 9.