Name: Date:

Grade: Section:

Factoring Difference of Two Squares

factors completely different types of polynomials (polynomials with common monomial
factor, difference of two squares, sum and difference of two cubes, perfect square
trinomials, and general trinomials). M8AL-Ia-b-1

WEEK 1 -2 (3 days)

What I Need to Do

Hi! How is your day? Are you ready to learn more about algebra? In this module
you will learn another factoring technique which is factoring the difference of two
squares.
Do you still remember your Mathematics lessons in grade 7 about perfect square
and special product of sum and difference of two terms? The pattern of the expression
below help you recall the special products.

Product of the sum and difference of two terms

Symbols/Pattern: (a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2

If a is the first term and b is the last term, then the product of the sum and
difference of two terms consists of:

a) square of the first term; and

b) square of the last term
Notice that the product is the difference of the squares of the terms
and is always a binomial.

Gearing Up

Before we begin our learning journey, let us do these activities.

Activity 1: Power 2!

Recall: Perfect squares are numbers or expressions that can be expressed

to the power of 2.

Examples:
a. 9 = 3 . 3 = 32 Thus, 9 and 4x2 are perfect square.
b. 4x2 = 2x . 2x = (2x)2
Write PS if it is a perfect square and NPS if it is not perfect square. Write
your answers on your answers sheets.

1. 81 4. 10x2
2. 49 5. 36y4
3. 65

Questions:
1. Which items are perfect squares? not perfect squares?
2. How did you determine the numbers that are perfect square?

Activity 2: Squares of Plus and Minus

Determine the product of each sum and difference of two terms. Write
your answers sheet.

1. (x + 1) (x – 1) 4. (x + 7) (x – 7)
2. (x + 8) (x – 8) 5. (x + 3) (x – 3)
3. (x + 4) (x – 4)

Questions:
1. How did you determine the product of sum and difference of two
terms?
2. Did you observed any pattern?
3. Did you get the correct answers? If not, what are the difficulties
did you experience in getting the product?

Remember your Grade 7 Mathematics lesson about the special product

specifically the product of sum and difference of two terms. It says that the
product of (a + b) and (a – b) equals the difference of two squares which
is a2 – b2.

(a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2

Note that when the sum and product of two terms are multiplied ( it means,
the first term and second term of the factors are the same but they are
different with the operation, one is + while the other one is –), the answer
or result will always be the difference of two squares of the two terms
( square the first term, square the last term and the operation in between
them is –). Therefore, factoring difference of two squares, you just
have to reverse the pattern.

a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)
In using this factoring technique, remember or recall your lesson about the
concept of perfect squares. For example, 81, x2, 49a, and 4y4. These are
all perfect square. Let’s look and learn at the illustration below.

81 = 9.9 = (9)2
x2 = x.x = (x)2
49a2 = 7a . 7a = (7a)2
4y4 = 2y2 . 2y2 = (2y2)2

Let us now know and learn how to factor difference of two squares by
examining at the given examples below.

Example 1: Write x2 – 4 in completely factored form.

Step 1: Express the first and the second term in exponential form with a
power of 2.

x2 = x.x = (x)2
4 = 2.2 = (2)2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form following the pattern
a2 – b2.

(x)2 – (2)2

Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)

(x+2)(x–2)

So, the complete factored form is, x2 – 4 = (x)2 – (2)2 = (x+2)(x–2).

Example 2: Write 25a2 –16b2 in completely factored form.

Step 1: Express the first and the second term in exponential form with a
power of 2.

25a2 = 5a . 5a = (5a)2
16b2 = 4b . 4b = (4b)2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form following the pattern
a2 – b2.

(5a)2 – (4b)2
Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)

(5a +4b)( 5a –4b)

So, the complete factored form of 25a2 –16b2 is,

25a2 –16b2 = (5a)2 – (4b)2 =(5a +4b)( 5a –4b)

Example 3: Write a4b2 –49 in completely factored form.

Step 1: Express the first and the second term in exponential form with a
power of 2.

a4b2 = a2b . a2b = (a2b)2

49 = 7.7 = (7)2

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form following the pattern
a2 – b2.

(a2b)2 – (7)2

Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a –b)

(a2b + 7)( a2b –7)

So, the complete factored form of a4b2 –49 is,

a4b2 –49 = (a2b)2 – (7)2 =(a2b + 7)( a2b –7)

Based on the examples illustrated, these are the steps in factoring difference
of two squares:

Step 1: Express the first and the second term in exponential form with a
power of 2.

Step 2: Subtract the two terms in exponential form following the pattern
a2 – b2.

Step 3: Factor completely following the pattern a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a –b)

Notice that there are cases where after expressing each term as a power 2,
the resulting numbers or expressions can still be factored further. This is
when the results or answers are still perfect squares. Thus, there is a need
to inspect or examine thoroughly and ensure that all terms are completely
factored.

Consider the example below.

Example 3: Write 3w2 –48 in completely factored form.

Solution:
Apparently, it seems like the given binomial is not factorable using
sum and difference of two terms since the terms are not perfect squares.
Notice that the first and second terms of the binomial have a common factor
of 3. Therefore, the binomial can be factored using a combination of
Greatest Common Monomial Factor (GCMF) and the sum and difference of
two terms.

Find the GCF of the terms and write it in factored form.

3w2 –48 = 3(w2 –16)

Observe that w2 –16 is a difference of two squares. Thus, it can be factored
as
(w2 –16) = (w)2 –(4)2 = (w+4) (w–4)

Thus, the complete factored form of 3w2 –48 is

3w2 –48 = 3 (w+4) (w–4)

Based on the examples presented, can you now independently factor

difference of two squares?

Exercise 1: Tell me the TRUTH!

Tell whether or not the given binomial is a difference of two squares. If it is,
write DTS. If is not, write NOT. Write your answer on your answer sheet.

1. a2 – 81
2. c2 – 18
3. e2 – 36
4. 25d2 – 16
5. r2 + 8s4
Exercise 2: FACTOR STEP BY STEP

Write the following in completely factored form. Write your answer on your
answer sheet.

1. 9x2 – 4
2. x2 – y 2
3. e2 – 121d2
4. w2 – 36

Exercise 3: AM I FACTORABLE?

1 9m2–25n2 2 25x2–10y2

3 16x4–49y2 4 121x2+9y2

Read and answer as directed. Write your answer on your answer sheets.

1. How will you factor the difference of two squares? Write the step-by-step
process.
 Getting Better

Exercise 4: Find the missing!

Find the missing terms of the factors. Write your answer on your answer
sheets.

1. a2 – 81 = ( a + ____ ) ( a – ____ )
2. p2 – q2 = ( ___+ ___ ) ( p – q )
3. c2 – d2 = ( c + d ) ( ____ – ____ )
4. 49e2 – 81f2 = ( 7e + ____ ) ( ____ – 9f )
5. 100g2 – 121d2 = (____ + 11d ) ( 10g – ____ )

Exercise 5: When I BROKE IT, I FOUND IT!

Supply the missing terms to factor the given polynomials completely.

Write your answer on your answer sheet.

1. 3x2 – 12y2 = 3(x2 – ______ )

( x + ___ ) ( ___ – 2y )

Final Factors:_____________________

2. 1–16x8 = ( 1 + ___ ) ( ____– 4x4 )

( 1 + ___ ) ( ____– 2x2 )

Final Factors:_____________________

3. a4 – 625b8 = ( ___+ 25b4) ( a2 – ___ )

( a + ___ ) ( ____– 5b2 )

Final Factors:_____________________
 Gaining Mastery

Quiz 1: Turn Whole into Parts

(x–9) ( 5x – 1) ( 4x– 9y) (9x+20y2) ( 2x– 7 ) ( 4x2 – 9 )

( 4x+9y) ( 2x + 7 ) ( x + 9 ) ( 5x + 1) (9x–20y2) ( 4x2 + 9 )

1. x2 – 81 = __________________________________
2. 4x2 – 49 = __________________________________
3. 16x2 – 81y2 = __________________________________
4. 25x2 – 1 = __________________________________
5. 81x2 – 400y4 = __________________________________

Quiz 2: Factor Completely

1. 4x2 – 9
2. 36x6–25
3. x2 – 36
4. 169n2 – 64
5. 144p2 – 100q2

What I Need to Remember

• Always check if the expression you are factoring is a difference of two

squares.
• Sometimes, you have to factor out the GCF first before you factor the
difference of two squares.
Key Points:
• An expression is a difference of two squares if the first and second
terms are perfect squares, subtracted from each other.
• Only expressions in the form of a difference of two squares can be
factored using the formula, a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a –b).
References

Interactive Mathematics (2018). Special Products. Retrieved from

http://www.intmath.com/factoring-fractions/1-special-products.php

Math Planet (nd). Special products of polynomials.

http://www.mathplanet.com/education/algebra-1/factoring-and-
polynomials/special-products-of-polynomial

Paul’s Online Notes (2003). Factoring Polynomials. Retrieved from

http://tutorialmath.lamar.edu/Classes/Alg/Factoring.aspx

Purple Math (nd). Factoring Polynomials. Retrieved from

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/rtnladd2.htm

Mathematics 8 Learner's Material. Department of Education, 2013.

Mathematics 8 Learner's Module. Factoring Polynomials. Department of

Education, 2020.
 Answer Key

Activity 1: Power 2! Activity 2: Squares of Plus and Minus

1. PS 1. x2 – 1
2. PS 2. x2 – 64
3. NPS 3. x2 – 16
4. NPS 4. x2 – 49
5. PS 5. x2 – 9

Exercise 1: Tell me the TRUTH! Exercise 2: FACTOR STEP BY STEP

1. DTS 1. ( 3x + 2 ) (3x – 2)
2. NOT 2. ( x + y) (x – y)
3. DTS 3. ( e + 11d ) ( e + 11d )
4. DTS 4. ( w + 6 ) ( w – 6)
5. NOT

Exercise 4: Find the missing! Exercise 3: AM I FACTORABLE?

1. (a + 9)(a –9) 1. YES. ( 3m + 5n ) (3m – 5n)

2. (p + q)(p –q) 2. NO
3. (c + d)(c –d) 3. YES. ( 4x2 + 7y ) (4x2 – 7y)
4. (7e + 9f)(7e –9f) 4. NO
5. (10g +11d)(10g –11d)

Exercise 5: When I BROKE IT, I FOUND IT!

1. 3x2 – 12y2 = 3(x2 – 4y2)
= 3 ( x + 2y) ( x – 2y )
2. 1 – 16x8 = (1 + 4x4) (1 –4x4)
= (1 + 4x4) (1 + 2x2 ) (1 – 2x2 )
3. a4–625b8 = ( a2 + 25b4) ( a2 – 25b4 )
= ( a2 + 25b4) ( a + 5b2) ( a – 5b2 )
Quiz 1: Turn Whole into Parts Quiz 2: Factor Completely

1. (x + 9)(x –9) 1. (2x + 3)(2x –3)

2. ( 2x + 7 ) (2x – 7) 2. (6x + 5)(6x –5)
3. ( 4x+9y) ( 4x– 9y) 3. (x + 6)(x –6)
4. ( 5x+1) ( 5x – 1) 4. (13n + 8)( 13n –8)
5. (9x+20y2) (9x–20y2) 5. (12p+10q)(12p–10q)
WRITER: JOHN ERIC A. TORINO
SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO
EVALUATOR: PROF. JOEY C. OLIVEROS