Factoring Difference of Two Squares

• It is used when an algebraic expression is made up of a squared term subtracted from another
squared term.

x² - y² = ( x + y ) ( x – y ) = x² + xy – xy – y²

But first we need to take memorize the following perfect squares to truly master and make factoring
easier to accomplish.

• 1² = 1

• 2² = 4

• 3² = 9

• 4² = 16

• 5² = 25

• 6² = 36

• 7² = 49

• 8² = 64

• 9² = 81

• 10² = 100

• 11² = 121

• 12² = 144

• 13² = 169

• 14² = 196

• 15² = 225

• 16² = 256

• 17² = 289

• 18² = 324

• 19² = 361

• 20² = 400

To find the polynomial form, you can use the FOIL method

(5x + 4) (5x – 4)

First: (5x) (5x) = 25x²

Outer: (5x) (4) = 20x

Inner: (4) (5x) = 20x

Last: (4) (4) = 16

(x + y) (x – y) = x² + xy – xy – y²

=25x²+ 20x-20x-16

=25x²+0-16

=25x²-16

Or you can just square the first and last term.

(5x + 4) (5x – 4)

The square of 5x is 25x²

The square of 4 is 16

Therefore the answer is 25x² - 16

And to transfer polynomial to factored form, you must find the square root of the first term and last
term

1. Factored form of 25x²+16

2. Square root of 25x²? 5x

Square root of 16? 4

Meaning 25x²+16’s factored form is 5x+4