Factoring(2): Factoring the Difference of Squares

Recall:

1) “Difference” means the result of subtraction.

2) A perfect square is formed by multiplying a term by itself

3) Conjugates are two binomials – one sum, and one difference – that begin and end with the same expression.

HOW TO FACTOR THE DIFFERENCE OF SQUARES:

1) Make sure that the polynomial is, in fact, a difference of squares. (It is not possible to factor a sum of squares!)

2) Determine the square root of the first and last term.

3) Write the binomial factors – these will be conjugates that begin and end with the square roots you found in step #2.

(Note: Because of the commutative property, the order of the factors doesn’t matter)

EXAMPLES WITH EXPLANATIONS: (Click here to enlarge)