SW StudyWalks

College Algebra  /  Alg 090  ·  Atom · ~20 seconds

Factoring a Difference of Squares

Video not yet published
to the StudyWalks catalog
State

A difference of squares factors into conjugate binomials: a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b).

Show

9x² − 16 is (3x)² minus 4², so it factors as (3x + 4)(3x − 4). Multiply back and the middle terms cancel.

Watch for

Both terms must be perfect squares joined by a minus sign.

Builds on

  • Nothing — this is a starting point.

Unlocks

  • Nothing yet depends on this.