Difference of Squares Difference of squares are when you have two perfect squares subtracting one from the other.
Examples: (16x2 - 9) (25X2 - 121) (49x2 - 4)
Only use this type of factoring if it is a binomial with two perfect squares
Let's Start with (16x2 - 9) 16x2 is a square of 4x and 9 is a square of 3
So you take the two square roots and make (4x - 3), BUT! to make sure there is no middle term you use (4x + 3)
The answer would be (4x - 3)(4x + 3)
Another Example: (25x2 - 121)
So 25x2 is a square of 5x and 121 a square of 11
Like last time combine the square roots to make (5x - 11)( 5x + 11) for the answer.
With some problems you may need to factor out the GCF
Such as (64x2 - 16) = 4(16x - 4)
See Greatest Common Factor (GCF) for details
Difference of squares are when you have two perfect squares subtracting one from the other.
Examples: (16x2 - 9) (25X2 - 121) (49x2 - 4)
Only use this type of factoring if it is a binomial with two perfect squares
Let's Start with (16x2 - 9)
16x2 is a square of 4x and 9 is a square of 3
So you take the two square roots and make (4x - 3), BUT! to make sure there is no middle term you use (4x + 3)
The answer would be (4x - 3)(4x + 3)
Another Example: (25x2 - 121)
So 25x2 is a square of 5x and 121 a square of 11
Like last time combine the square roots to make (5x - 11)( 5x + 11) for the answer.
With some problems you may need to factor out the GCF
Such as (64x2 - 16) = 4(16x - 4)
See Greatest Common Factor (GCF) for details
http://www.coolmath.com/crunchers/algebra-problems-factoring-difference-two-squares.htm
This link is a factoring homework helper and can be used as a study game