Factoring Difference of Squares and Perfect Square Trinomials

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. It takes the form a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a + b)^2.

Front

Identify the factors of x^2 - 9.

Back

(x + 3)(x - 3) - This is a difference of squares.

Front

What is the formula for factoring a difference of squares?

Back

The formula is a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b).

Front

Factor the expression 25x^2 - 81.

Back

(5x + 9)(5x - 9) - This is a difference of squares.

Front

What is a perfect square trinomial example?

Back

x^2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)^2.

Front

Factor the expression x^2 + 18x + 81.

Back

(x + 9)^2 - This is a perfect square trinomial.

Front

What is the first step in factoring a quadratic expression?

Back

Look for a common factor in all terms.

Front

Factor the expression x^2 - 16.

Back

(x + 4)(x - 4) - This is a difference of squares.

Front

What does it mean if a trinomial is a perfect square?

Back

It means it can be factored into the square of a binomial.

Front

Identify the factors of x^2 + 14x + 49.

Back

(x + 7)^2 - This is a perfect square trinomial.