What is the value of $(26^2 - 24^2 - 10)^2 - 10^2$?
I notice that the expression inside the first parentheses is of the form $a^2 - b^2$, which can be factored as $(a + b)(a - b)$. So I rewrite the expression as $[(26 + 24)(26 - 24) - 10]^2 - 10^2$. Next, I simplify the terms inside the brackets: $[(50)(2) - 10]^2 - 10^2$. This becomes $[100 - 10]^2 - 10^2$, which is $90^2 - 10^2$. Again, I recognize the difference of squares pattern and factor the expression as $(90 + 10)(90 - 10)$. This gives me $(100)(80)$, which is $8000$. 