A
B
C
D
Explanation
Correct answer: C.
Choice C is correct. The expression can be written as a difference of squares , which can be factored as . Here, , so , and the expression therefore factors as .
Desmos solution:
Note: The listed x-values make x^2-5 and choice C print the same outputs.
Enter in Desmos:
Reviewed and rewritten by CookSAT
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to factor a difference of squares.
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect and may result from misunderstanding how to factor a difference of squares.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect; can be rewritten as , which is not equivalent to the original expression.