Given a^2-b^2=997 where "a" and "b" are both integers and 997 is a prime number, what is the value of ab?
Any help is appreciated!!!
\(a^2 - b^2 = 997\\ (a-b)(a+b) = 997\\~\\ \text{Now factor $997$ to see what we're working with}\\ 997 = \text{Prime!}\\ a-b=1\\ a+b = 997\\ a=499,~b=498\\\)
very good rom
