Example

Factoring 121m21121m^2 - 1

To factor 121m21121m^2 - 1, recognize it as a difference of squares: (11m)212(11m)^2 - 1^2. Applying the pattern a2b2=(ab)(a+b)a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) with a=11ma = 11m and b=1b = 1 results in the product of conjugates (11m1)(11m+1)(11m - 1)(11m + 1). Checking by multiplying confirms (11m1)(11m+1)=121m21(11m - 1)(11m + 1) = 121m^2 - 1.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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