3-3 Factoring DOTS

Front

What is DOTS in factoring?

Back

DOTS stands for Difference of Two Squares, a factoring technique used when an expression is in the form a² - b².

Front

Factor: 16n² - 25

Back

(4n + 5)(4n - 5)

Front

What should you look for first when factoring an expression?

Back

GCF (Greatest Common Factor)

Front

Factor: 81m² - 1

Back

(9m - 1)(9m + 1)

Front

Factor: 4c² - 9

Back

(2c + 3)(2c - 3)

Front

Factor: 49d² - 1

Back

(7d + 1)(7d - 1)

Front

What is the formula for factoring a difference of squares?

Back

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b)

Front

Factor: x² - 16

Back

(x - 4)(x + 4)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a polynomial?

Back

Identify and factor out the GCF.

Front

Factor: 25y² - 36

Back

(5y - 6)(5y + 6)