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Simplify the following expression: 895 ├Ч905
809975
809925
810025
810075
809975
Given: Two numbers to be multiplied are 895 and 905.
Two numbers to be multiplied are 895 and 905.
(aтИТb)(a+b)=a2тИТb2
Express the numbers as (900тИТ5)├Ч(900+5). The result is simply 9002тИТ52, which is 810000тИТ25=809975.
Students often perform long multiplication (895 * 905) which consumes time and increases the risk of calculation errors in the middle steps.
Identify the pattern
Observe that both numbers are equidistant from 900. Thus, we write them as 895=900тИТ5 and 905=900+5.
(900тИТ5)(900+5)
Apply the identity
Use the difference of squares identity (aтИТb)(a+b)=a2тИТb2, where a=900 and b=5.
9002тИТ52
Calculate the squares
Square 900 to get 810000 and square 5 to get 25.
810000тИТ25
Final subtraction
Subtract 25 from 810000 to arrive at the final product.
810000тИТ25=809975
B is correct because the expression 9002тИТ52 results in 810000тИТ25=809975. Note: The provided official answer key label 'A' is incorrect based on mathematical calculation; the correct value matches option B.
This identity is extremely useful in Data Interpretation sections for quick estimation of product growth or calculating differences in percentage increase problems.