what is (x-2)(x+2)

Question

pls help im lost

Answer 1

what is (x-2)(x+2)
pls help im lost

(x - 2)(x + 2)

Multiply the x in the first parentheses by the x in the second parentheses: x * x
Multiply the -2 in the first parentheses by the x in the second parentheses: -2x
Multiply the 2 in the second parentheses by the x in the first parentheses: 2x
Multiply the -2 in the first parentheses by the 2 in the second parentheses: -2 * 2

x*x - 2*x + 2*x + (-2)*(+2)

The x terms cancel out: one is positive, the other is negative.
It would be like -8 + 8 = 0 (just an example; no reason to believe that 2x is 8 here)

x^2 -4