# Subtracting integers with powers

1. Nov 4, 2008

### PhyStan7

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Hey, sorry about this. Its really obvious, i think there's just some really simple way to do it. Its annoying me, my teacher couldnt do it either!

Evaluate 6667²-3333² (without a calculator)

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I know there is just some really obvious way to do it. It was only worth 2 marks. Checking the answer on a calculator it was 33340000 and 6667-3333=3334 so i wasnt sure if that was how you did it, found the answer to the integers minus each other and add zeros. But i tried other examples and it didnt hold true.

Thanks

2. Nov 4, 2008

### jamesrc

At some point in class, you should have covered what the difference of two squares is. Just to remind you, it looks something like this:
$$a^2-b^2=(a+b)*(a-b)$$

I hope that helps.

3. Nov 4, 2008

### symbolipoint

You in general can also try to factorize the terms and calculate and simplify that way; but in the example you gave, knowing the difference of two squares is more efficient as in post #2.

4. Nov 4, 2008

### PhyStan7

Awesome, cheers guys!