Difference of Squares

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Taught by dougsimmsonline
  • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
10093 views | 1 rating
Part of video series
Meets NCTM Standards:
Lesson Summary:

In this lesson, you will learn about the difference of squares factoring method, which only works with binomials that have two square terms. To use this method, you write two sets of brackets, with the square root of the first term in both first positions and the square root of the second term in both second positions, one minus sign and one plus sign. Through several examples, the method is proven to work, and it is emphasized that this method only works with the minus sign in the middle of the square.

Lesson Description:

The differece of squares factoring method.

Questions answered by this video:
  • What is a difference of squares?
  • How do you factor a difference of squares?
  • How do you factor x^2 - y^2?
  • How do you factor 36a^2 - 1?
  • How do you factor x^4 - y^2?
  • How do you factor 4b^2 - 9c^2?
  • How do you factor (16a^2b^8)/49 - (9a^8b^2)/25c^2?
  • How do you factor a polynomial with only two terms?
  • How do you factor x^8 - y^8?
  • How do you know when you are finished factoring a difference of squares?
  • How do you factor a binomial?
  • Staff Review

    • Currently 4.0/5 Stars.
    This video shows how to factor several differences of squares, and throws one problem in that can be factored several times before it is finished. Again, each step is explained in detail. This is a very good tutorial.