Factor Special Cases

Front

What is factoring in algebra?

Back

Factoring is the process of breaking down an expression into a product of simpler expressions, or factors, that when multiplied together give the original expression.

Front

What is a perfect square trinomial?

Back

A perfect square trinomial is a quadratic expression that can be expressed as the square of a binomial, typically in the form (a + b)² = a² + 2ab + b².

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a special case of factoring that applies to expressions in the form a² - b², which can be factored as (a + b)(a - b).

Front

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?

Back

The GCF is the largest factor that two or more numbers or expressions share. It is used to simplify expressions before factoring.

Front

Factor the expression: 49x² + 16.

Back

does not factor (SUM of squares)

Front

Factor the expression: 32n² - 50.

Back

2(4n + 5)(4n - 5) (after factoring out the GCF of 2)

Front

Factor the expression: 25x² - 36y².

Back

(5x + 6y)(5x - 6y) (difference of squares)

Front

Factor the expression: 4x² - 25.

Back

(2x + 5)(2x - 5) (difference of squares)

Front

What is a sum of squares?

Back

A sum of squares is an expression of the form a² + b², which cannot be factored over the real numbers.

Front

Is the expression x² + 18x + 9 a perfect square trinomial?

Back

No, it is not a perfect square trinomial.