Simplifying Expressions with Exponents I

Project ID: 
3000000021
Question: 

Tesa tried to subtract two polynomials. Her work is shown below: $$ \begin{aligned} (x+4)^2-(x-2)^2&\stackrel{(1)}= (x^2+16)-(x^2-4) = \cr &\stackrel{(2)}= x^2+16-x^2+4 =\cr &\stackrel{(3)}= 20 \end{aligned} $$

At which step did Tesa make a mistake, if she made any at all?

Answer 1: 

In step (1). After squaring the parentheses, we get the expresion: $$(x^2+8x+16)-(x^2-4x+4)$$

Answer 2: 

In step (2). Be removing the parentheses, we get: $$x^2+16-x^2-4$$

Answer 3: 

In step (3). Combining like terms, the expression simplifies to: $$2x^2+20$$

Answer 4: 

Tesa's work is correct.

Fixed Answer: 
All Fixed
Correct Answer: 
Answer 1