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Difference of Squares Pattern

The Difference of Squares Pattern is a factoring shortcut for any binomial that can be written as one squared term minus another squared term. If aa and bb are real numbers:

a2b2=(ab)(a+b)a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)

The left side of the equation consists of two squared terms — a2a^2 and b2b^2 — separated by subtraction (the "difference" of two squares). The right side shows the factored form: a product of two conjugate binomials, (ab)(a - b) and (a+b)(a + b). This factoring pattern reverses the Product of Conjugates multiplication pattern. To use it, identify aa and bb by recognizing each term of the binomial as a perfect square, then write the two conjugate factors directly.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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