Example

Factoring 9x212xy+4y2499x^2 - 12xy + 4y^2 - 49

Factor the polynomial 9x212xy+4y2499x^2 - 12xy + 4y^2 - 49 completely. First, check for a greatest common factor. There is no overall GCF. With 44 terms, try grouping. The last 22 terms have no GCF, so try grouping the first 33 terms: (9x212xy+4y2)49(9x^2 - 12xy + 4y^2) - 49. Identify that the trinomial inside the parentheses fits the perfect square trinomial pattern a22ab+b2a^2 - 2ab + b^2, since (3x)22(3x)(2y)+(2y)2=9x212xy+4y2(3x)^2 - 2(3x)(2y) + (2y)^2 = 9x^2 - 12xy + 4y^2. Write it as a square: (3x2y)249(3x - 2y)^2 - 49. Recognize the resulting expression as a difference of squares: (3x2y)272(3x - 2y)^2 - 7^2. Factor it as a product of conjugates: ((3x2y)7)((3x2y)+7)((3x - 2y) - 7)((3x - 2y) + 7). Simplify to get the completely factored form: (3x2y7)(3x2y+7)(3x - 2y - 7)(3x - 2y + 7). Verify the result by multiplying the factors.

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Updated 2026-04-30

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