Question #N368
If $x + y = 5$ and $x - y = 3$, what is the value of $x^2 - y^2$?
A. 15
B. 25
C. 36
D. 45
Correct Answer is: A
We can use the difference of squares factorization: $x^2 - y^2 = (x + y)(x - y)$. Substituting the given values, we have $(x + y)(x - y) = (5)(3) = 15$.