Factoring Perfect

Square Trinomials
AldrinL.Salibio
MMXXI – MMXXII
Objective
The student will be able to:

o factor perfect square trinomials.

o Solve problems involving factoring perfect
square trinomials
Warm Up

Determine whether the following are perfect squares.

If so, find the square root.
1. 64 yes; 8
2. 36 yes; 6
3. 45 no 4. x2 yes; x
5. y8 yes; y4 6. 4x6 yes; 2x3
7. 9y7 no 8. 49p10 yes;7p5
 Review: Multiply (y + 2)2

(y + 2)(y + 2) Do you remember these?

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

First terms: y2
Using the formula,
Outer terms: +2y (y + 2)2 = (y)2 + 2(y)(2) + (2)2
Inner terms: +2y (y + 2)2 = y2 + 4y + 4
Last terms: +4 Which one is quicker?
Combine like terms.
y2 + 4y + 4
A trinomial is a perfect square if:
• The first and last terms are perfect squares.

• The middle term is two times one factor from the first
term and one factor from the last term.

9x2 + 12x + 4

3x • 3x 2(3x •2) 2 •2
Example 1A: Recognizing and Factoring Perfect-Square Trinomials

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
9x2 – 15x + 64
9x2 – 15x + 64

3x  3x 2(3x  8) 8 8 2(3x  8) ≠ –15x.

9x2 – 15x + 64 is not a perfect-square trinomial because –15x ≠

2(3x  8).
Example 1B: Recognizing and Factoring Perfect-Square Trinomials

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
81x2 + 90x + 25
81x2 + 90x + 25

9x ● 9x 2(9x ● 5) 5 ●5 The trinomial is a perfect square.

Factor.
 Example 1B Continued

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
Method 2 Use the rule.
81x2 + 90x + 25 a = 9x, b = 5
(9x)2 + 2(9x)(5) + 52 Write the trinomial as a2 +
2ab + b2.

(9x + 5)2 Write the trinomial as (a +

b)2.
Example 1C: Recognizing and Factoring Perfect-Square Trinomials

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
36x2 – 10x + 14
36x2 – 10x + 14 The trinomial is not a perfect-
square because 14 is not a
perfect square.

36x2 – 10x + 14 is not a perfect-square trinomial.

 Check It Out! Example 1a

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
x2 + 4x + 4

x2 + 4x + 4

x  x 2(x  2) 2  2 The trinomial is a perfect square.

Factor.
 Check It Out! Example 1b

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.

x2 – 14x + 49

x2 – 14x + 49

x x 2(x  7) 7  7 The trinomial is a perfect square.

Factor.
 Check It Out! Example 1b Continued

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.
Method 2 Use the rule.
x2 – 14x + 49 a = 1, b = 7

(x)2 – 2(x)(7) + 72 Write the trinomial as a2 – 2ab

+ b2.
(x – 7)2 Write the trinomial as (a – b)2.
 Check It Out! Example 1c

Determine whether each trinomial is a perfect square. If so,

factor. If not explain.

9x2 – 6x + 4
9x2 –6x +4

3x  3x 2(3x  2) 2  2 2(3x)(4) ≠ – 6x

9x2 – 6x + 4 is not a perfect-square trinomial because –6x ≠ 2(3x

2) 
1) Factor x2 + 6x + 9
Does this fit the form of our perfect square
trinomial? Perfect Square Trinomials
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
1) Is the first term a perfect square? (a - b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2

Yes, a = x
2) Is the last term a perfect square? Since all three are true,
Yes, b = 3 write your answer!
3) Is the middle term twice the product of (x + 3)2
the a and b?
Yes, 2ab = 2(x)(3) = 6x
You can still
factor the other way but this is
quicker!
2) Factor y2 – 16y + 64
Does this fit the form of our perfect square
trinomial? Perfect Square Trinomials
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
1) Is the first term a perfect square? (a - b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2

Yes, a = y
2) Is the last term a perfect square? Since all three are true,
Yes, b = 8 write your answer!
3) Is the middle term twice the product of (y – 8)2
the a and b?
Yes, 2ab = 2(y)(8) = 16y
 Factor m2 – 12m + 36
1. (m – 6)(m + 6)
2. (m – 6)2
3. (m + 6)2
4. (m – 18)2
3) Factor 4p2 + 4p + 1
Does this fit the form of our perfect square
trinomial? Perfect Square Trinomials
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
1) Is the first term a perfect square? (a - b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2

Yes, a = 2p
2) Is the last term a perfect square? Since all three are true,
Yes, b = 1 write your answer!
3) Is the middle term twice the product of (2p + 1)2
the a and b?
Yes, 2ab = 2(2p)(1) = 4p
 4) Factor 25x2 – 110xy + 121y2
Does this fit the form of our perfect square
trinomial? Perfect Square Trinomials
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
1) Is the first term a perfect square? (a - b)2 = a2 – 2ab + b2
Yes, a = 5x
2) Is the last term a perfect square?
Yes, b = 11y
3) Is the middle term twice the product of
the a and b? Since all three are true,
Yes, 2ab = 2(5x)(11y) = 110xy write your answer!
(5x – 11y)2
 Factor 9k2 + 12k + 4
1. (3k + 2)2
2. (3k – 2)2
3. (3k + 2)(3k – 2)
4. I’ve got no clue…I’m lost!
 Factor 2r2 + 12r + 18
1. prime
2. 2(r2 + 6r + 9)
3. 2(r – 3)2
4. 2(r + 3)2
5. 2(r – 3)(r + 3)

Don’t forget to factor the GCF first!

 Example 2: Problem-Solving Application
A square piece of cloth must be cut to make a tablecloth.
The area needed is (16x2 – 24x + 9) in2. The dimensions
of the cloth are of the form cx – d, where c and d are
whole numbers. Find an expression for the perimeter of
the cloth. Find the perimeter when x = 11 inches.
 Example 2 Continued
1
Understand the Problem

The answer will be an expression for the perimeter of the

cloth and the value of the expression when x = 11.

List the important information:

• The tablecloth is a square with area

(16x2 – 24x + 9) in2.

• The side length of the tablecloth is in the form cx – d,

where c and d are whole numbers.
 Example 2 Continued
2 Make a Plan

The formula for the area of a square is

area = (side)2.

Factor 16x2 – 24x + 9 to find the side length of the

tablecloth. Write a formula for the perimeter of the
tablecloth, and evaluate the expression for x = 11.
 Example 2 Continued

3 Solve

16x2 – 24x + 9 a = 4x, b = 3

Write the trinomial as
(4x)2 – 2(4x)(3) + 32 a2 – 2ab + b2.
(4x – 3)2 Write the trinomial as (a – b)2.

16x2 – 24x + 9 = (4x – 3)(4x – 3)

The side length of the tablecloth is (4x – 3) in.

 Example 2 Continued

Write a formula for the perimeter of the tablecloth.

P = 4s Write the formula for the perimeter of a

square.
= 4(4x – 3) Substitute the side length for s.
= 16x – 12 Distribute 4.

An expression for the perimeter of the tablecloth in inches is

16x – 12.
 Example 2 Continued

Evaluate the expression when x = 11.

P = 16x – 12

= 16(11) – 12 Substitute 11 for x.

= 164

When x = 11 in. the perimeter of the tablecloth is 164 in.

 Example 2 Continued

4 Look Back
For a square with a perimeter of 164, the side length is
and the area is 412 = 1681 in2. .

Evaluate 16x2 – 24x + 9 for x = 11.

16(11)2 – 24(11) + 9
1936 – 264 + 9
1681 
 Check It Out! Example 2

What if …? A company produces square sheets of aluminum,

each of which has an area of (9x2 + 6x + 1) m2. The side
length of each sheet is in the form cx + d, where c and d are
whole numbers. Find an expression in terms of x for the
perimeter of a sheet. Find the perimeter when x = 3 m.
 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

1
Understand the Problem

The answer will be an expression for the perimeter of a

sheet and the value of the expression when x = 3.

List the important information:

• A sheet is a square with area (9x2 + 6x + 1) m2.

• The side length of a sheet is in the form cx + d, where c and d
are whole numbers.
 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued
2 Make a Plan

The formula for the area of a sheet is

area = (side)2

Factor 9x2 + 6x + 1 to find the side length of a sheet.

Write a formula for the perimeter of the sheet, and
evaluate the expression for x = 3.
 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued
3 Solve

9x2 + 6x + 1 a = 3x, b = 1
(3x)2 + 2(3x)(1) + 12 Write the trinomial as a2 + 2ab + b2.

(3x + 1)2 Write the trinomial as (a + b)2.

9x2 + 6x + 1 = (3x + 1)(3x + 1)

The side length of a sheet is (3x + 1) m.

 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

Write a formula for the perimeter of the aluminum sheet.

P = 4s Write the formula for the perimeter of a

square.
= 4(3x + 1) Substitute the side length for s.
= 12x + 4 Distribute 4.

An expression for the perimeter of the sheet in meters is 12x

+ 4.
 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued

Evaluate the expression when x = 3.

P = 12x + 4

= 12(3) + 4 Substitute 3 for x.

= 40

When x = 3 m. the perimeter of the sheet is 40 m.

 Check It Out! Example 2 Continued
4 Look Back
For a square with a perimeter of 40, the side length is m and
the area is 102 = 100 m2.

Evaluate 9x2 + 6x + 1 for x = 3

9(3)2 + 6(3) + 1

81 + 18 + 1
100 
Questions?
Thank you for
listening!