Difference of Squares

Difference of Squares is another way of factoring.

Difference of Squares is different from Perfect Square. In Difference of Squares only 2 terms rather than 3 and the two terms need to be perfect squares.

What makes it difference of square is the negative sign between the two terms

Recall : (a + b) (a-b) = a^2 - b^2

Example; 64 - 81x^2

Find the square roots of a and b value.

64 - 81x^2

8 9x

Remember your answer must be in bracket form and since there is a negative between the two terms , one bracket would positive and second bracket would be negative.

The solution would be (8 + 9x) (8 - 9x)

Example #2; 9q^2 - 4q^2

3q 2

Solution: (3q+2) (3q-2)

Remember when square rooting an exponent is like the divided the exponent by 2 or like multiplying it by 1/2.