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$\begin{align}(1+x+y)^2&=1+x+y+x+x^2+xy+y+xy+y^2\\
&=1+2x+2y+2xy+x^2+y^2\\
\ \\
(1-x-y)^2&=1-x-y-x+x^2+xy-y+xy+y^2\\
&=1-2x-2y+2xy+x^2+y^2\\
\ \\
\text{difference}&=4x+4y\\
&=4(x+y)\\
&=4\times\text{(an integer),   which is a multiple of 4.}\end{align}$


This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
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