I have a question on a math assignment.

Question

49a² + 16 = 56a.           You are suppose to make it into an equation that can be foiled

Answer 1

49a² - 56a + 16 = 0       looks like    x² - 2xy + y2 = (x - y)²

 

(7a - 4)² = 0

 

7a - 4 = 0

 

7a = 4

 

a = 4/7

Answer 2

I believe this question is simply asking to change your equation into factored form (which can then be foiled to get your original equation). 

 

To do this, rewrite it as 49a²-56a+16=0. From here, you can guess and check to factor 49a²-56a+16:

 

49a²-56a+16=(7a-4)(7a-4)

 

Then, returning to the equation, we get (7a-4)(7a-4)=0 as the factored equation which can be foiled to get 49a²-56a+16=0.