You may remember from high school algebra the difference of squares identity x2– y2 = (x – y)(x + y). Since 899 = 900 – 1 or 302 – 12, we substitute x = 30 and y = 1 into the identity to obtain 899 = 29 x 31.
You may remember from high school algebra the difference of squares identity x2– y2 = (x – y)(x + y). Since 899 = 900 – 1 or 302 – 12, we substitute x = 30 and y = 1 into the identity to obtain 899 = 29 x 31.