How Do You Factor a Common Factor Out Of a Difference of Squares?

How Do You Factor a Common Factor Out Of a Difference of Squares?

Note:

Trying to factor a binomial? See if you can factor out a greatest common factor. This tutorial shows you how to factor a binomial by first factoring out the greatest common factor and then using the difference of squares. Check it out!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • factor
  • polynomial
  • grouping
  • factor by grouping
  • strategy
  • difference of squares
  • greatest common factor
  • common factor

Background Tutorials

  • Identify parts of an expression using mathematical terms (sum, term, product, factor, quotient, coefficient); view one or more parts of an expression as a single entity.

      • What's a Coefficient?What's a Coefficient?

      What's a Coefficient?

      There is a bunch of vocabulary that you just need to know when it comes to algebra, and coefficient is one of the key words that you have to feel 100% comfortable with. Check out the tutorial and let us know if you want to learn more about coefficients!

  • Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

      • What are Like Terms?What are Like Terms?

      What are Like Terms?

      Combining like terms together is a key part of simplifying mathematical expressions, so check out this tutorial to see how you can easily pick out like terms from an expression

  • Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it.

  • Understand that polynomials form a system analogous to the integers, namely, they are closed under the operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication; add, subtract, and multiply polynomials.

      • How Do You Multiply Binomials Using FOIL?How Do You Multiply Binomials Using FOIL?

      How Do You Multiply Binomials Using FOIL?

      Looking for practice using the FOIL method? This tutorial delivers! It takes you step-by-step through the FOIL method as you multiply together to binomials.

      • What is a Polynomial?What is a Polynomial?

      What is a Polynomial?

      If you learn about algebra, then you'll see polynomials everywhere! In this tutorial, you'll learn the definition of a polynomial and see some of the common names for certain polynomials.

      • What's FOIL?What's FOIL?

      What's FOIL?

      The FOIL method. No, not aluminum foil! The FOIL method stands for First, Outer, Inner, and Last. It's a popular way multiply two binomials together. This tutorial makes the FOIL method a breeze!

Further Exploration

  • Factor a quadratic expression to reveal the zeros of the function it defines.

      • How Do You Factor a Trinomial?How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      How Do You Factor a Trinomial?

      Factoring trinomials can by tricky, but this tutorial can help! Follow along as a trinomial is factored right before your eyes! Then, check your answer by using the FOIL method to multiply the binomials back together and see if you get the original trinomial.