Find the LCM and HCF.
(a) p3 + 8 and p2 - 4

In bold below.

Step-by-step explanation:

p^2 - 4 = (p - 2)(p + 2)

Note that 8 = 2^3 so

p^3 + 8 = ( p + 2)(p^2 + 4 - 2p)

So The HCF is p + 2.

The LCM =  (p + 2)(p - 2)(p^2 + 4 - 2p)

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4