Introduction: Special Cases
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: [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.
In this lesson you will learn how to do the following:
- Recognize a polynomial that factors into a special product
- Factor special products
- Factor polynomials with negative or fractional exponents
- Factor by substitution
The learning activities for this outcome include:
- Read: Special Cases - Squares
- Self-Check: Special Cases - Squares
- Read: Special Cases - Cubes
- Self-Check: Special Cases - Cubes
- Read: More Factoring Methods
- Self-Check: More Factoring Methods
Licenses & Attributions
CC licensed content, Original
- Screenshot: Undo. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
- Outcomes and Description. Provided by: Lumen Learning License: CC BY: Attribution.
