Why Learn How to Factor Special Cases?

Some people like to find patterns in the world around them, like a game. There are some polynomials that, when factored, follow a specific pattern.

These include:

Perfect square trinomials of the form: ${a}^{2}+2ab+{b}^{2}$

A difference of squares: ${a}^{2}-{b}^{2}$

A sum of cubes: ${a}^{3}+{b}^{3}$

A difference of cubes: ${a}^{3}-{b}^{3}$

In this lesson you will see you can factor each of these types of polynomials following a specific pattern. You will also learn how to factor polynomials that have negative or fractional exponents.