Verify Identity (IV), for a = 2, b = 3, x = 5.
We have
( x + a) ( x + b) = x2 + ( a + b)x + ab
Putting a = 2, b = 3 and x = 5 in the indentity:
LHS = ( x + a ) ( x + b )
= ( 5 + 2) (5 +3)
= 7 x 8
= 56
RHS = x2 + ( a + b )x + ab
= (5)2 + (2 + 3) x 5 + (2 x 3)
= 25 + (5) x 5 + 6
= 25 + 25 + 6
= 56
∴ LHS = RHS
∴ The given identity is true for the given values.
Consider the special case of Identity (IV) with a = b, what do you get? Is it related to Identity (1)?
Consider, the special case of Identity (IV) with a = –c and b = –c. What do you get? Is it related to Identity (II)?