How Do You Know if You Have a Difference of Squares?

How Do You Know if You Have a Difference of Squares?

Note:

Not sure if the binomial you've factoring is a difference of squares problem? This tutorial will show you what characteristics the binomial must have in order to be a difference of squares problem. Take a look!

Keywords:

  • skill
  • definition
  • difference of squares
  • difference
  • square
  • squares
  • identify
  • perfect square

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!

      • What's a Term?What's a Term?

      What's a Term?

      Polynomials are those expressions that have variables raised to all sorts of powers and multiplied by all types of numbers. When you work with polynomials you need to know a bit of vocabulary, and one of the words you need to feel comfortable with is 'term'. So check out this tutorial, where you'll learn exactly what a 'term' in a polynomial is all about.

  • Use square root and cube root symbols to represent solutions to equations of the form x^2 = p and x^3 = p, where p is a positive rational number. Evaluate square roots of small perfect squares and cube roots of small perfect cubes. Know that √2 is irrational.

      • What's a Perfect Square?What's a Perfect Square?

      What's a Perfect Square?

      Anytime you square an integer, the result is a perfect square! The numbers 4, 9, 16, and 25 are just a few perfect squares, but there are infinitely more! Check out this tutorial, and then see if you can find some more perfect squares!

  • 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.

      • 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.