Question

solve:
$x^2 - 49 = 0$
options:
$(x + 7)(x - 7)$
$(x - 7)(x - 7)$
$x = 7$
$x = -7, x = 1$

Explanation:

Step1: Rewrite as difference of squares

$x^2 - 7^2 = 0$

Step2: Factor using difference of squares

$(x+7)(x-7)=0$

Step3: Solve for x

Set each factor to 0:
$x+7=0 \implies x=-7$
$x-7=0 \implies x=7$

Answer:

(x + 7)(x - 7)