Factoring Difference of Squares

The video tutorial explores the factoring of the quadratic expression 16x^2 - 64 by two students, Musa and Fatu. Musa factors by first extracting a common factor of 16, then recognizing a difference of squares. Fatu, on the other hand, directly identifies the expression as a difference of squares without factoring out 16 initially. Both methods are shown to be valid, leading to equivalent expressions. The tutorial encourages understanding through pause points and references to additional resources on factoring differences of squares.

What expression were Musa and Fatu asked to factor?

• x^2 + 64

• 16x^2 + 64

• x^2 - 64

• 16x^2 - 64

What was the first step in Musa's approach to factoring the expression?

• Factoring out a 4

• Factoring out a 16

• Using the quadratic formula

• Recognizing a sum of squares

What type of expression is x^2 - 4?

• Difference of squares

• Linear expression

• Sum of squares

• Perfect square trinomial

Which formula is used to factor a difference of squares?

• (a + b)(a - b)

• (a - b)^2

• (a + b)^2

• (a - b)(a + b)

How did Fatu initially approach the factoring problem?

• By factoring out a 16

• By recognizing a difference of squares

• By using the quadratic formula

• By completing the square

What is the equivalent expression Fatu derived?

• (x + 8)(x - 8)

• (4x + 8)(4x - 8)

• (x + 2)(x - 2)

• (4x + 2)(4x - 2)

What conclusion was reached about the expressions derived by Musa and Fatu?

• Only Fatu's expression was correct

• Both expressions were incorrect

• Both expressions were equivalent

• Only Musa's expression was correct

What is the result of factoring 16x^2 - 64 using the difference of squares method?

• (4x + 4)(4x - 4)

• (x + 4)(x - 4)

• (4x + 8)(4x - 8)

• (x + 8)(x - 8)

Which of the following is a characteristic of a difference of squares?

• It can be factored into two identical binomials

• It is always positive

• It can be factored into two conjugate binomials

• It is a linear expression

What is the general form of a difference of squares?

• a^2 - b^2

• a^2 + b^2

• a^2 - 2ab + b^2

• a^2 + 2ab + b^2