Algebra Examples

Factor $x^{2} - 36$

Step 1

Rewrite $36$ as $6^{2}$ .

$x^{2} - 6^{2}$

Step 2

Since both terms are perfect squares, factor using the difference of squares formula, $a^{2} - b^{2} = (a + b) (a - b)$ where $a = x$ and $b = 6$ .

$(x + 6) (x - 6)$