Factor Special Cases
Learning Objectives
- Factor a perfect square trinomial
- Factor a difference of squares
- Factor a sun and difference of cubes
- Factor an expression with negative or fractional exponents
Factoring a Perfect Square Trinomial
A perfect square trinomial is a trinomial that can be written as the square of a binomial. Recall that when a binomial is squared, the result is the square of the first term added to twice the product of the two terms and the square of the last term.A General Note: Perfect Square Trinomials
A perfect square trinomial can be written as the square of a binomial:How To: Given a perfect square trinomial, factor it into the square of a binomial.
- Confirm that the first and last term are perfect squares.
- Confirm that the middle term is twice the product of [latex]ab[/latex].
- Write the factored form as [latex]{\left(a+b\right)}^{2}[/latex].
Example: Factoring a Perfect Square Trinomial
Factor [latex]25{x}^{2}+20x+4[/latex].Answer: Notice that [latex]25{x}^{2}[/latex] and [latex]4[/latex] are perfect squares because [latex]25{x}^{2}={\left(5x\right)}^{2}[/latex] and [latex]4={2}^{2}[/latex]. Then check to see if the middle term is twice the product of [latex]5x[/latex] and [latex]2[/latex]. The middle term is, indeed, twice the product: [latex]2\left(5x\right)\left(2\right)=20x[/latex]. Therefore, the trinomial is a perfect square trinomial and can be written as [latex]{\left(5x+2\right)}^{2}[/latex].
Try It
Factor [latex]49{x}^{2}-14x+1[/latex].Answer: [latex]{\left(7x - 1\right)}^{2}[/latex]
Q & A
Is there a formula to factor the sum of squares?
No. A sum of squares cannot be factored.Watch this video to see another example of how to factor a difference of squares.
https://youtu.be/Li9IBp5HrFAFactoring the Sum and Difference of Cubes
Now, we will look at two new special products: the sum and difference of cubes. Although the sum of squares cannot be factored, the sum of cubes can be factored into a binomial and a trinomial.A General Note: Sum and Difference of Cubes
We can factor the sum of two cubes asHow To: Given a sum of cubes or difference of cubes, factor it.
- Confirm that the first and last term are cubes, [latex]{a}^{3}+{b}^{3}[/latex] or [latex]{a}^{3}-{b}^{3}[/latex].
- For a sum of cubes, write the factored form as [latex]\left(a+b\right)\left({a}^{2}-ab+{b}^{2}\right)[/latex]. For a difference of cubes, write the factored form as [latex]\left(a-b\right)\left({a}^{2}+ab+{b}^{2}\right)[/latex].
Example: Factoring a Sum of Cubes
Factor [latex]{x}^{3}+512[/latex].Answer: Notice that [latex]{x}^{3}[/latex] and [latex]512[/latex] are cubes because [latex]{8}^{3}=512[/latex]. Rewrite the sum of cubes as [latex]\left(x+8\right)\left({x}^{2}-8x+64\right)[/latex].
Analysis of the Solution
After writing the sum of cubes this way, we might think we should check to see if the trinomial portion can be factored further. However, the trinomial portion cannot be factored, so we do not need to check.Try It
Factor the sum of cubes: [latex]216{a}^{3}+{b}^{3}[/latex].Answer: [latex]\left(6a+b\right)\left(36{a}^{2}-6ab+{b}^{2}\right)[/latex]
Example: Factoring a Difference of Cubes
Factor [latex]8{x}^{3}-125[/latex].Answer: Notice that [latex]8{x}^{3}[/latex] and [latex]125[/latex] are cubes because [latex]8{x}^{3}={\left(2x\right)}^{3}[/latex] and [latex]125={5}^{3}[/latex]. Write the difference of cubes as [latex]\left(2x - 5\right)\left(4{x}^{2}+10x+25\right)[/latex].
Analysis of the Solution
Just as with the sum of cubes, we will not be able to further factor the trinomial portion.Try It
Factor the difference of cubes: [latex]1,000{x}^{3}-1[/latex].Answer: [latex]\left(10x - 1\right)\left(100{x}^{2}+10x+1\right)[/latex]
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- Revision and Adaptation. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
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- College Algebra. Provided by: OpenStax Authored by: Abramson, Jay et al.. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/[email protected].
- Examples: Factoring Binomials (Special). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex1: Factor a Sum or Difference of Cubes. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Ex3: Factor a Sum or Difference of Cubes. Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com). License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Question ID 7919, 7929, 7922. Authored by: Tyler Wallace. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: IMathAS Community License, CC-BY + GPL.
- Question ID 93666, 93668. Authored by: Michael Jenck. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: IMathAS Community License CC-BY + GPL.
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- College Algebra. Provided by: OpenStax Authored by: OpenStax College Algebra. Located at: https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:1/Preface. License: CC BY: Attribution.