Difference of Squares

Front

What is the Difference of Squares formula?

Back

a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b)

Front

Factor the expression: x^2 - 16

Back

(x + 4)(x - 4)

Front

Factor the expression: 49y^2 - 25

Back

(7y + 5)(7y - 5)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a difference of squares?

Back

Identify the two perfect squares in the expression.

Front

Factor the expression: 9a^2 - 1

Back

(3a + 1)(3a - 1)

Front

What does it mean for an expression to be a perfect square?

Back

An expression is a perfect square if it can be expressed as the square of a binomial.

Front

Factor the expression: 4x^2 - 36

Back

(2x + 6)(2x - 6)

Front

What is the significance of the Difference of Squares in algebra?

Back

It allows for the simplification of expressions and solving equations more easily.

Front

Factor the expression: a^2 - 25b^2

Back

(a + 5b)(a - 5b)

Front

What types of expressions can be factored using the Difference of Squares?

Back

Any expression that can be written in the form a^2 - b^2.