Chapter 5.5: Factoring Special Products
Now transition from multiplying special products to factoring special products. If you can recognize them, you can save a lot of time. The following is a list of these special products (note that a2 + b2 cannot be factored):
The challenge is therefore in recognizing the special product.
Example 1
Factor .
This is a difference of squares. is the solution.
Example 2
Factor .
This is a perfect square. or is the solution.
Example 3
Factor .
This is a perfect square. or is the solution.
Example 4
Factor .
This is a perfect square. or is the solution.
Example 5
Factor .
This is a difference of cubes. is the solution.
Example 6
Factor .
This is a difference of cubes. is the solution.
Questions
Factor each of the following polynomials.
Answers to odd questions
1.
3.
5.
7.
9.
11.
13.
15.
17.
19.
21.
23.
25.
27.
29.