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

What is the HCF of 48 and 180?

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A man rows downstream at 6 km/h and upstream at 4 km/h. What is the speed of the stream?

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

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A cone has a base radius of 7 cm and height of 24 cm. What is its volume?

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The area of an equilateral triangle with side length 6 cm is:

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If the sum of three consecutive integers is 72, what are the integers?

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If sin(A) = 3/5 and cos(B) = 5/13, where A and B are acute angles, what is sin(A+B)?

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