Answer ! the following polynomial can be factored using the techniques of this lesson
x² - 18
a. true
b. false

If it was difference of 2 perfect squaes, then the answer is false, but we can actually force it
remember
a²-b²=(a-b)(a+b)
convert
18=(3√2)^2
x²-(3√2)^2=(x-3√2)(x+3√2)

answer is true (but teacher might say false because you might not have learned how to force it like that yet)

You can find the area of a rectangle by multiplying the length and height. so multiply 1/2*7/4(which is the simpler version of 1 3/4) and you get 7/8 as your answer.