Show algebraically that (4n-3)^2 - (2n+5)^2 is always a multiple of n-4

First we expand the brackets by squaring each side(4n-3)2 = (4n-3)(4n-3)= 16n2 - 24n + 9(2n+5)2 = (2n+5)(2n+5)= 4n2 + 20n + 25Remember the expression is (4n-3)2 - (2n+5)2 so we subtract the expanded second expression from the first16n2 - 24n + 9 - (4n2 + 20n + 25)= 16n2 - 24n + 9 - 4n2 -20n - 25= 12n2 - 44n - 4To simplify we can factorise by 44 (3n2 - 11n - 1)Then if we factorise the quadratic in the brackets we get4 (3n + 1)(n - 4)As the expression contains (n - 4), this means that (4n-3)2 - (2n+5)2 is always a multiple of (n - 4)

EB
Answered by Ella B. Maths tutor

3574 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Solve 3x2 + 7x – 13 = 0 Give your solutions correct to 2 decimal places.


Bag A contains £7.20 in 20p coins. Bag B contains only 5p coins. The number of coins in bag B is three-quarters of the number of coins in bag A. How much money is in bag B?


The formula for finding the circumference of a circle is Equation: C = 2(pi)r . What can we do if we know the circumference but want to know the radius?


Solve the simultaneous equations 3x + y = –4 and 3x – 4y = 6


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning