Factoring the Difference of Squares

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

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

Front

Factor the expression: 4x² - 9

Back

(2x - 3)(2x + 3)

Front

What is the first step in factoring a polynomial?

Back

Look for the Greatest Common Factor (GCF).

Front

Factor the expression: x² - 144

Back

(x - 12)(x + 12)

Front

Factor the expression: 9n² - 1

Back

(3n - 1)(3n + 1)

Front

What does GCF stand for?

Back

Greatest Common Factor.

Front

Factor the expression: 36x² - 64

Back

4(3x - 4)(3x + 4)

Front

What is the formula for factoring the difference of squares?

Back

a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b) where a and b are real numbers.

Front

Factor the expression: 25y² - 16

Back

(5y - 4)(5y + 4)

Front

What type of expressions can be factored using the difference of squares?

Back

Expressions that can be written in the form a² - b².