Skip to main content
Back

Factoring Special Products quiz

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • What is the factored form of a difference of squares, a^2 - b^2?
    The factored form is (a + b)(a - b).
  • What two criteria must be met to use the difference of squares factoring rule?
    Both terms must be perfect squares and have opposite signs.
  • Can a^2 + b^2 be factored using the difference of squares rule?
    No, a^2 + b^2 is a sum of squares and cannot be factored using this rule.
  • How do you factor x^2 - 4 using the difference of squares?
    It factors as (x + 2)(x - 2).
  • Why can't y^2 + 25 be factored using the difference of squares?
    Because both terms are positive, making it a sum of squares, not a difference.
  • What is the general form of a perfect square trinomial?
    It is a^2 ± 2ab + b^2.
  • How do you factor x^2 + 10x + 25 as a perfect square trinomial?
    It factors as (x + 5)^2.
  • What must the middle term of a perfect square trinomial equal?
    It must equal 2ab, where a and b are the square roots of the first and last terms.
  • How do you factor 4x^2 - 36x + 81 as a perfect square trinomial?
    It factors as (2x - 9)^2.
  • What does the sign of the middle term in a perfect square trinomial determine?
    It determines whether the factored form is (a + b)^2 or (a - b)^2.
  • What is the factored form of a sum of cubes, a^3 + b^3?
    It is (a + b)(a^2 - ab + b^2).
  • What is the factored form of a difference of cubes, a^3 - b^3?
    It is (a - b)(a^2 + ab + b^2).
  • How do you factor x^3 + 8 as a sum of cubes?
    It factors as (x + 2)(x^2 - 2x + 4).
  • What does the SOAP acronym stand for in factoring cubes?
    SOAP stands for Same, Opposite, Always Positive, referring to the signs in the factors.
  • How do you factor 27y^3 - 1 as a difference of cubes?
    It factors as (3y - 1)(9y^2 + 3y + 1).