Educator

Factoring the Difference of Two Squares

• The special rule for factoring the difference of two squares is a² – b² = (a + b)(a – b).

• Sometimes, this rule needs to be applied more than once to completely factor the original polynomial.

• Some polynomials require several methods to be factored completely. Always start by finding the Greatest Common Factor. Then try other methods.

• You can solve some quadratic equations by factoring the trinomial and then using the zero product property.