Difference of Squares Factoring and Solving (Quadratics only)

Front

What is the difference of squares formula?

Back

Front

What is a perfect square?

Back

A perfect square is a number that can be expressed as the square of an integer.

Front

Can you factor an expression with addition using the difference of squares?

Back

No, you cannot factor using the difference of squares if the terms are separated by an addition sign.

Front

Factor completely: 49x^2 - 16.

Back

(7x - 4)(7x + 4)

Front

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

Back

Identify the two perfect squares in the expression.

Front

Factor completely: 25x^2 - 36.

Back

(5x - 6)(5x + 6)

Front

What does it mean to factor an expression completely?

Back

Factoring completely means breaking down an expression into its simplest factors that cannot be factored further.

Front

Factor completely: x^2 - 25.

Back

(x - 5)(x + 5)

Front

Why can't you factor 4x^2 + 9 using difference of squares?

Back

Because it contains an addition sign and neither 4 nor 9 is a difference of squares.

Front

Back

(x - 3y)(x + 3y)