Sectieoverzicht

  • A difference of two squares is a perfect square subtracted from another perfect square. A difference of squares can be rewritten as a product of binomials containing the same terms but opposite signs because the middle terms will cancel each other out if the two factors are multiplied.

    For example, \(9-4\) is a difference of two squares. \(9=3\times3\) and \(4=2\times2\) and the terms are separated by a "\(-\)" sign. So, we can rewrite \(9-4\) as \((3-2)(3+2)\). You can check for yourself that this is true, \(9-4=5\) and \((3-2)(3+2)=5\).

    This concept can be explained using the areas of squares as shown in the next animation of difference of two squares. 

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      How to factorise the difference of two squares

      To use the difference of two squares to factorise you must check that the expression contains two perfect squares and a minus sign. 

      The next video shows examples of difference of two squares, which you must understand before trying the next activity. 

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      Practise finding the difference of squares

      Click on the link to the exercise to practise your skills. Difference of squares.