Find each product. See Examples 5 and 6. (8s-3t)(8s+3t)

Key Concepts

Factoring and the Difference of Squares

The expression (8s-3t)(8s+3t) is an example of the difference of squares, which follows the formula a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b). In this case, a is 8s and b is 3t. When multiplied, the middle terms cancel out, resulting in a simplified expression that highlights the relationship between the two binomials.

Binomial Multiplication

Binomial multiplication involves multiplying two binomials, which can be done using the distributive property or the FOIL method (First, Outside, Inside, Last). Each term in the first binomial is multiplied by each term in the second binomial, leading to a polynomial that combines like terms. Understanding this process is crucial for accurately finding the product of the given expression.

Combining Like Terms

After multiplying the binomials, the resulting expression may contain like terms, which are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Combining like terms involves adding or subtracting these terms to simplify the expression. This step is essential for presenting the final answer in its simplest form, making it easier to interpret and use in further calculations.