Example

Factoring 4x212xy+9y2254x^2 - 12xy + 9y^2 - 25

Factor the polynomial 4x212xy+9y2254x^2 - 12xy + 9y^2 - 25 completely. First, check for a greatest common factor. There is no overall GCF. With 44 terms, try grouping the first 33 terms to form a perfect square trinomial: (4x212xy+9y2)25(4x^2 - 12xy + 9y^2) - 25. Factor the grouped trinomial, which fits the pattern a22ab+b2a^2 - 2ab + b^2 with a=2xa = 2x and b=3yb = 3y. Write it as a square: (2x3y)225(2x - 3y)^2 - 25. Recognize the resulting expression as a difference of squares: (2x3y)252(2x - 3y)^2 - 5^2. Factor it as a product of conjugates: ((2x3y)5)((2x3y)+5)((2x - 3y) - 5)((2x - 3y) + 5). Simplify to get the completely factored form: (2x3y5)(2x3y+5)(2x - 3y - 5)(2x - 3y + 5). Verify the result by multiplying the factors.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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