1.

Lesson 2
2. Topic: Algebra
3. Sub-topic/s: – Factorizing perfect squares and factorizing difference of two squares

4. Rationale:

As a student learning mathematics, you will be able to apply the concept of factoring whether
you are doing a currency exchange, dividing something into equal pieces, comparing prices,
understanding time and making calculations during travel. Acquiring these mathematical skills
and knowledge in mathematics, will allow you to make quick and sound calculations in simple
everyday applications.

5. Objectives: Through the use of handouts and practices, you will be able to:

(A) Factorize perfect squares and factorize difference of two squares

(B) Recognize and define terms such as trinomial, binomial, perfect squares and difference of
two squares
(C) Appreciate the concept of factorization in real life.

6. Activities:

1. Read the hand-out on factorizing perfect squares and factorizing the difference of two
squares.
2. Highlight or underline with a pen, important information in the hand-out.
3. Complete the practice exercise on the hand-out itself.
4. Complete all graded worksheets on factorizing perfect squares and factorizing the
difference of two squares.

7. Resources:

Calculator, pencil, eraser, Raymond Toolsie Textbook Volume 2, Interactive Approach to

Mathematics Volume 4

8. Glossary of important terms

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Trinomial – is an algebraic expression composed of three terms that are connected by addition
or subtraction.

A binomial is an expression composed of two terms.

A Perfect square trinomial can be defined as an expression that is obtained by squaring a

binomial

Difference of square formula – is an algebraic form of equation that is used to express the
differences between two square values.

9. Information Sheet: Handout/s

What is a Perfect Square Trinomial?

The ability to recognize special cases of polynomials that can be easily factored is a

fundamental skill for solving any algebraic expressions that involve polynomials.

One of these “easy to factor” polynomials is the perfect square trinomial. We can recall that a
trinomial is an algebraic expression composed of three terms that are connected by addition or
subtraction.

Similarly, a binomial is an expression composed of two terms. Therefore, a perfect square

trinomial can be defined as an expression that is obtained by squaring a binomial
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Learning how to recognize a perfect square trinomial is the first step to factoring it.

The following are the tips on how to recognize a perfect square trinomial:

 Check whether the first and last terms of the trinomial are perfect squares
 Multiply the roots of the first and third terms together.
 Compare to the middle terms with the result in step two
 If the first and last terms are perfect squares, and the coefficient of the middle term is
twice the product of the square roots of the first and last terms, then, the expression is
a prefect square trinomial.

How to Factor a Perfect Square?

Once you have identified a perfect square trinomial, factoring it is quite a straightforward
process.

Let’s take a look at the steps for factoring a perfect square trinomial.

 Identify the squared numbers in the first and third terms of the trinomial
 Examine the middle term if it has either positive or negative. If the middle term of the
trinomial is positive or negative, then the factors will have a plus and minus sign
respectively.
 Write out your terms by applying the following identities:

(i) a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2 = (a + b) (a + b)

(ii) a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)2 = (a – b) (a – b)

Difference of Squares Formula

 The difference of square formula is an algebraic form of equation that is used to express the
differences between two square values. A difference of square is expressed in the form:

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a2 – b2; where both the first and last term are perfect squares. Factoring the difference of the two
squares, gives;

a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b)

This is true because, (a + b) (a – b) = a2 – ab + ab – b2 = a2 – b2

How to Factor Difference of Squares?

In this section, we are going to learn how to factorize algebraic expressions using the difference
of square formula. To factor a difference of squares, the following steps are undertaken:

 Check if the terms have the greatest common factor (GCF) and factor it out.
Remember to include the GCF in your final answer
 Determine the numbers that will produce the same results and apply the formula: a2–
b2 = (a + b) (a – b) or (a – b) (a + b)
 Check whether the remaining terms can be factored any further.

10. Example/s with answers.

Factorizing as a Perfect Square:

Example 1

Factor x2+ 6x + 9

Solution

We can rewrite the expression x2 + 6x + 9 in the form a2 + 2ab + b2 as;
x2+ 6x + 9 ⟹ (x)2 + 2 (x) (3) + (3)2
Applying the formula of a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2 to the expression gives;

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= (x + 3)2
= (x + 3) (x + 3)

Example 2

Factor x2 + 8x + 16

Solution

Write the expression x2 + 8x + 16 as a2 + 2ab + b2

x2 + 8x + 16 ⟹ (x)2 + 2 (x) (4) + (4)2

Now we will apply the perfect square trinomial formula;

= (x + 4)2
= (x + 4) (x + 4)

Example 3

Factor 4a2 – 4ab + b2

Solution

4a2 – 4ab + b2 ⟹ (2a)2 – (2)(2) ab + b2

= (2a – b)2

= (2a – b) (2a – b)

Example 4

Factor 25y2 – 10y + 1

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Solution

25y2 – 10y + 1⟹ (5y)2 – (2)(5)(y)(1) + 12

= (5y – 1)2

= (5y– 1) (5y – 1)

Factorizing as the Difference of Two Squares:

Example 1

Factor 64 – x2

Solution

Since we know the square of 8 is 64, then we can rewrite the expression as;
64 – x2 = (8)2 – x2
Now, apply the formula a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b) to factorize expression;
= (8 + x) (8 – x).

Example 2

Factorize
x 2 −16

Solution

Since x2−16 = (x) 2− (4)2, therefore apply the difference square formula a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b),
where a and b in this case are x and 4 respectively.

Therefore, x2 – 42 = (x + 4) (x – 4)
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Example 3

Factor 4x2– 25

Solution

= (2x)2– (5)2
= (2x + 5) (2x – 5)

Example 4

Factor 3a2 – 27b2

Solution

Since 3 is GCF of the terms, we factor it out.

3a2 – 27b2 = 3(a2 – 9b2)
=3[(a)2 – (3b)2]
Now apply a2 – b2 = (a + b) (a – b) to get;
= 3(a + 3b) (a – 3b)

11. Practice Activity #1:

Factorize the following perfect square trinomials:

1. x2 + 12x + 36
2. 9a2 – 6a + 1
3. x2 + 4x + 4
4. x2+ 2x + 1
5. x2+ 10x + 25
6. 16x2– 48x + 36
7. 4x2– 20x + 25

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Practice Activity #2:

Factorize the following algebraic expressions: Difference of Two Squares

1. y2– 1
2. x2– 81
3. 4x2 – 81
4. 1 – 4z2

Solution for Practice Activity 1:

1. x2 + 12x + 36 = ¿(x + 6) (x + 6) = ( x +6 )2

2. 9a2 – 6a + 1¿(3 a)2 −2 ( 3 a )( 1 ) + ( 1 )2=¿ (3a – 1) (3a – 1) = ( 3 a−1 )2
3. x2 + 4x + 4¿( x )2+ 2 ( 2 ) ( x )+ (2 )2 =¿ (x + 2) (x + 2) = ( x +2 )2
4. x2+ 2x + 1¿( x )2+ 2 ( 1 ) ( x )+ ( 1 )2=¿ (x + 1) (x + 1) = ( x +1 )2
5. x2+ 10x + 25¿( x )2+ 2 ( 5 ) ( x )+ ( 5 )2=¿ (x + 5) (x + 5) = ( x +5 )2
6. 16x2– 48x + 36¿( 4 x )2 −2 ( 6 )( 4 x )+ ( 6 )2=¿ (4x– 6) (4x – 6) = ( 4 x−6 )2
7. 4x2– 20x + 25¿( 2 x)2 +2 ( 5 ) ( 2 x ) + ( 5 )2=¿ (2x – 5) (2x – 5) = ( 2 x−5 )2

Solution for Practice Activity 1:

1. y2– 1= ( y )2−( 1 )2=( y−1)( y +1)

2. x2– 81 = ( x )2−( 9 )2=(x−9)( x +9)
3. 4x2 – 81 = ( 2 x )2 −( 9 )2=(2 x−9)(2 x +9)
4. 1 – 4z2 = ( 1 )2−( 2 z )2=(1−2 z )(1+ 2 z )

12. Summary:

Factoring Difference of Two Squares:

Here are the steps required for factoring a difference of squares:

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 Step 1: Decide if the four terms have anything in common, called the greatest common
factor or GCF. If so, factor out the GCF. Do not forget to include the GCF as part
of your final answer.
Step 2: Every difference of squares problem can be factored as follows: a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a
– b) or (a – b)(a + b). So, all you need to do to factor these types of problems is to
determine what numbers squares will produce the desired results.
Step 3: Determine if the remaining factors can be factored any further.

Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials:

When factoring perfect square trinomials, you can memorize the formulas shown below

  x2 + 2xy + y2 = (x + y)2

  x2 – 2xy + y2 = (x – y)2
13. Assessment/s: Assignment and Quiz

Fourth Form Mathematics Assignment #1

Name: ________________________________

Class: _______________________

Date: ___________________________

Problem Solving: THIS PAPER SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE

TEACHER.

Instructions: All working must be clearly shown. ( 4 points each)

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Factorizing as a Perfect Square:

1. x 2+ 12 x +36

2. 36 x 2+ 84 x+ 49

3. 36+ 84 x+ 49 x2

Factorizing as the Difference of Two Squares:

1. 144 x 2−49

2. x 2−100
Fourth Form Mathematics Assignment #1

Name: ________________________________

Class: _______________________

Date: ___________________________

Section One: Multiple Choice (1 point each) THIS PAPER SHOULD BE

RETURNED TO THE TEACHER.
Instruction: Shade the letter of the answer of your choice.

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 1. x 2+ 24 x+ 144=¿
(A) ( x−12 )2
(B) ( x +12 )2
(C) not a perfect square
(D) ( x +12 )( x−12 )
2. b 2−12b +36=¿
(A) not a perfect square
(B) ( b+ 6 )2
(C) ( b−6 )2
(D) ( b+ 6 ) ( b−6 )

3. x 2−4 xy+ 4 y 2=¿

(A) ( x−2 y )( x+2 y )
(B) ( x +2 y )2
(C) ( x−2 y )2
(D) not a perfect square
2
4. x −12 x+144=¿
(A) ( x +12 )2
(B) ( x +12)(x −12)
(C) ( x−12 )2
(D) not a perfect square
5. 64 x 2 +48 x +9=¿
(A) ( 8 x +3 )2
(B) (8 x +3)(8 x−3)
(C) ( 8 x−3 )2
(D) not a perfect square

Section Two: Problem solving

THIS PAPER SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TEACHER.
Instruction: All working must be clearly shown. (4 points each)

6. Factorize 64 m 2−49 n2

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 7. Factorize 36 x 2−81

8. Factorize 1−169 x 2

9. Factorize x 2−10 x+ 25

10. Factorize 25 a2 −40 ab+16 b 2

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