Introduction to Factoring Special Cases

Why Learn How to Factor Special Cases?

Repeated pattern of interlocking plus signs, each row a different color following the rainbow spectrum.

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.

Contribute!

Did you have an idea for improving this content? We’d love your input.

Improve this pageLearn More