How do you determine if a polynomial is the difference of two squares?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Well, the difference of two squares follows the rule:
$$a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)(a-b)$$

If you have something like that, like:
$$f(x) = x^2 - 4 = x^2 - 2^2 = (x-2)(x+2)$$

I don't think I answered what you wanted, but you got it?

anonymous · Answer

I am having a hard time in this class, I am not sure if I do or not...does that even make sense?

anonymous · Answer

Hahaha, you can post the original question you're having a hard time with.

anonymous · Answer

That question is the original one...

anonymous · Answer

The difference of two square follow this rule: 
a^2 - b^2 = (a-b) (a+b)

Then the polynomial can be arranged to fit the format below:
(a-b) (a+b) 
then that polynomial will end up the difference of 2 squares.  
 Is this what you mean?

anonymous · Answer

Yeah, they're the same thing... you can eventually manipulate an equation so you just have multiplications. It makes things easier sometimes.