Using complete sentences, compare and contrast the ways to factor the "sum of two squares" and the "difference of two squares." Provide an explanation and example of each, including any similarities and differences.

Question

anonymous · Answer

@johnweldon1993

anonymous · Answer

@Mertsj

e.mccormick · Answer

So what did you get so far?  Did you try looking at the two formulas side by side?

e.mccormick · Answer

One other thing to think about, are complex numbers allowed.  That changes the factoring of the sum of two squares.

anonymous · Answer

I didn't get anything. I'm new to this.

e.mccormick · Answer

When you learned it, how did they describe factoring the difference of two squares?  If you had to describe the process in words, like teaching it to someone else, what would you do?

anonymous · Answer

@jim_thompson5910 I don't know the formula for the sum of two squares. For some reason I can't find that in my lesson. :/ Could you explain to me what it is?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

there is no formula for the sum of two squares since you can't factor a sum of two squares

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

that is of course assuming the GCF is 1

anonymous · Answer

Oh, So for my answer would basically be " The difference in ways to factor the sum of two squares and the difference of two squares, is that you can not factor the sum of two squares, but you can factor the difference" ?

anonymous · Answer

@johnweldon1993

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

that is correct unheard

anonymous · Answer

Thanks!

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

yw