Question #N1013
If $x^2 - 16 = 0$, what are the possible values of $x$?
A. -4
B. 4
C. -4 and 4
D. -8 and 8
Correct Answer is: C
The equation is a difference of squares. We can factor it as (x + 4)(x - 4) = 0. For the product of two factors to equal zero, at least one of the factors must equal zero. Therefore, either x + 4 = 0 or x - 4 = 0. Solving for x in each equation gives us x = -4 or x = 4.