Why Learn How to Factor Special Cases?
![Repeated pattern of interlocking plus signs, each row a different color following the rainbow spectrum.](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/121/2016/07/19191115/Screen-Shot-2016-07-19-at-12.10.30-PM-300x153.png)
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: [latex]{a}^{2}+2ab+{b}^{2}[/latex]
A difference of squares: [latex]{a}^{2}-{b}^{2}[/latex]
A sum of cubes: [latex]{a}^{3}+{b}^{3}[/latex]
A difference of cubes: [latex]{a}^{3}-{b}^{3}[/latex]
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.