Question

`(203^2 - 197^2)/400` is equal to ______.

Options

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Answer 1

`(203^2 - 197^2)/400` is equal to 6.

Explanation:

We are asked to simplify:

`(203^2 - 197^2)/400`

Step 1: Recognise the numerator as a difference of squares:

a² – b² = (a – b)(a + b)

Here, a = 203 and b = 197

203² – 197²

= (203 – 197) (203 + 197)

= 6 · 400

Step 2: Substitute into the fraction:

`(203^2 - 197^2)/400`

= `(6 * 400)/400`

= 6