Topic Details (Notes format)

How to Factor the Difference of Squares

Subject: Mathematics

Book: Maths Mastery

A difference of squares takes the form a² – b² and factors into (a – b)(a + b). For example, x² – 9 becomes (x – 3)(x + 3). This factoring pattern simplifies advanced algebraic expressions, helps solve polynomial equations quickly, and appears often in geometry proofs or optimization tasks. Recognizing a² – b² is crucial in polynomial manipulation, partial fraction decomposition, and problem-solving across arithmetic, geometry, and calculus contexts, making it a powerful tool in your algebraic toolkit.

Practice Questions

If x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0, what are the roots?

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If x = 3 and y = 4, what is the value of x^2 + y^2?

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If the sum of the squares of two consecutive positive integers is 365, what are the integers?

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A triangle has angles 60°, 60°, and 60°. What type of triangle is it?

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If x + y = 10 and xy = 21, what is the value of x³ + y³?

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What is the length of the diagonal of a square with a side length of 7 cm?

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If the radius of a circle is doubled, what happens to its area?

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The LCM of two numbers is 60, and their HCF is 5. If one of the numbers is 20, what is the other number?

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What is the LCM of 15 and 20?

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A number is increased by 20% and then decreased by 10%. What is the net change?

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