For a = x and b = 3, which expression represents a^2 − b^2?

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Multiple Choice

For a = x and b = 3, which expression represents a^2 − b^2?

Explanation:
Difference of squares means you take a^2 and subtract b^2, squaring each part separately. With a = x and b = 3, that becomes x^2 − 9. The other expressions don’t match this form: x^2 + 9 adds the squares, not subtracts; x^2 − 6x + 9 is (x − 3)^2 and expands differently; x^2 − 3x − 3x simplifies to x^2 − 6x, missing the 9. So x^2 − 9 is the correct representation.

Difference of squares means you take a^2 and subtract b^2, squaring each part separately. With a = x and b = 3, that becomes x^2 − 9. The other expressions don’t match this form: x^2 + 9 adds the squares, not subtracts; x^2 − 6x + 9 is (x − 3)^2 and expands differently; x^2 − 3x − 3x simplifies to x^2 − 6x, missing the 9. So x^2 − 9 is the correct representation.

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