Factoring Difference of

Squares
 Remember when multiplying:

(x – 3)(x + 3)
The signs are different,
but the terms are the same…

x –9
2
The middle term always cancels out…
Today, we will be factoring polynomials like
these.

x - 64
2

They are really easy if you know what to

look for…
When factoring, first check to see if the
terms are subtracting.

x –92

Then check to see if the two terms are

Perfect Squares
If they meet these rules, then you can do
“Perfect Square Factoring”

x –2
9
What times itself makes 9?
What times itself makes x2?

_
(x + 3)(x 3)
 Try to Factor These
1. x2 – 36 (x + 6)(x – 6)

2. x2 – 16 (x + 4)(x – 4)

3. x4 – 16 (x2 + 4)(x2 – 4)
Ooooh! Trog
(x + 4)(x + 2)(x – 2)
2
excited. Trog can
FACTOR even
more!!
Sometimes you have to undistribute some
factors before getting to do the easy
“Perfect Square Factoring”

x – 64x
3

x(x – 64)
2

x(x + 8)(x – 8)