Factoring the Difference of Squares

Front

What is the difference of squares?

Back

The difference of squares is a mathematical expression of the form a² - b², which can be factored into (a + b)(a - b).

Front

Factor the expression: 4m² - 49

Back

(2m + 7)(2m - 7)

Front

Factor the expression: 9x² - 49y²

Back

(3x + 7y)(3x - 7y)

Front

Factor the expression: 121x² - 49

Back

(11x + 7)(11x - 7)

Front

Factor the expression: 4x² - 9

Back

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

Front

Factor the expression: y² - 196

Back

(y + 14)(y - 14)

Front

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

Back

Identify the two perfect squares in the expression.

Front

What is a perfect square?

Back

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

Front

Provide an example of a difference of squares.

Back

Example: 25 - 16 = 5² - 4² = (5 + 4)(5 - 4) = 9(1) = 9.

Front

What is the formula for factoring the difference of squares?

Back

The formula is a² - b² = (a + b)(a - b).