Multiplying Polynomials: Two Special Cases






Objectives:


Sum and Difference Pattern - the first and second terms are the same but the signs are different.
    ( a + b) ( a - b )     =     a2 + ab + ab + b2
                                          a2 - b2

Examples:
1.  ( x + 4 ) ( x - 4 )
            x2 - 16

2.  ( x + 2 ) ( x - 2)
            x2 - 4

3.  ( 4x - 2 ) ( 4x + 2 )
            16x2 - 4
 

Square of a Binomial Pattern
    ( a + b )2     =     a2 + 2ab + b2
    ( a - b )     =     a2 - 2ab + b2

Shortcut Rules:
1.  First Term Squared
2.  Multiply terms in parenthesis and multiply the product by 2
3.  Last Term Squared
 

Examples:
1.  ( x + 4 )2
            x2 + (x) (4) (2) + 42
            x2 + 8x + 16

2.  ( x + 5 )2
            x2 + (x) (5) (2) + 52
            x2 + 10x + 25

3.  ( 3x + 4 )2
            (3x)2 + (3x) (4) (2) + 42
            9x2 + 24x + 16

4.  ( x - 4 )2
            x2 + (x) (-4) (2) + (-4)2
            x2 - 8x + 16

5.  ( x - 1 )2
            x2 + (x) (-1) (2) + (-1)2
            x2 -2x +1

6.  ( 5x - 1)2
            (5x)2 + (5x) (-1) (2) + (-1)2
            25x2 - 10x + 1



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