Home
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Statistics
Probability
Set Theory
Trigonometry
Matrices
SAT Preparation
ACT Preparation
GMAT Preparation
Math Worksheets
Math Games
Math Trivia
Chemistry
How Things Work
Animal Facts
Links

 

Factoring Quadratic

In some cases recognizing some common patterns in the quadratic equation will help you to factorize the quadratic.

For example: Square of Sum, Square of Difference and Difference of Two Squares

 

 

Square Of Sum

A square of sum is a type of quadratic equations of the form:

x2 + 2bx + b2 = (x + b)2

Example 1: x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
  (x + 1)2 = 0
  x= -1
   
Example 2:

x2 + 6x + 9 = 0

  x2 + 2(3)x + 32 = 0
  (x + 3)2 = 0
  x = -1

 

 

Square of Difference

A square of difference is a type of quadratic equations of the form:

x2 – 2bx + b2 = (xb)2

Example 1: x2 – 2x + 1 = 0
  (x – 1)2 = 0
  x=1
   
Example 2:

x2 – 6x + 9 = 0

  x2 – 2(3)x + 32 = 0
  (x – 3)2 = 0
  x 3 = 0 ⇒ x = 3

 

 

Difference of Two Squares

A difference of two squares is a type of quadratic equations of the form:

(a + b)(a – b) = a2b2

Example: x2 – 25 = 0
  x2 – 52 = 0
  (x + 5)(x – 5) = 0
   

We get two values for x:

  x = -5, x = 5

Be careful! This method only works for difference of two squares and not for the sum of two squares: a2 + b2 ≠ (a + b)(ab)

 

 

Custom Search

 




Useful Links:
wtamu.edu - Quadratic Equations
 
© Copyright 2005, 2007 - onlinemathlearning.com

 

Custom Search