Explanation
Correct answer: A.
Choice A is correct. If the given expression is equivalent to , then , where isn't equal to . Multiplying both sides of this equation by yields . Since the right-hand side of this equation is in factored form for the difference of squares, the value of must be a perfect square. Only choice A gives a perfect square for the value of .
Desmos solution:
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Reviewed and rewritten by CookSAT
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice B
Choice B is incorrect. This value of does not produce a difference of squares. When is substituted for in the given expression, the result is . The expression can't be factored with integer values, and therefore isn't equivalent to .
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect. This value of does not produce a difference of squares. When is substituted for in the given expression, the result is . The expression can't be factored with integer values, and therefore isn't equivalent to .
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect. This value of does not produce a difference of squares. When is substituted for in the given expression, the result is . The expression can't be factored with integer values, and therefore isn't equivalent to .