How to factor polynomials: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:50, 6 October 2009

Revision as of 20:52, 6 October 2009

Line 19:

<br />

Again, the first step is to factor out the GCF. If there is no GCF, then there are only 3 possibilities:

'''Difference of Squares''', '''Sum of Cubes''', or '''Difference of Cubes'''.<br /><br/>

'''Difference of Squares:'''<br />

:<math>x^2-y^2=(x+y)(x-y),\,\!</math><br />

For example:

:<math>y^2-9=(y+3)(y-3),\,\!</math><br />

or<br />

:<math>16a^2-49b^2=(4a+7b)(4a-7b),\,\!</math>