Example

Multiplying (x3)(x+3)(x - 3)(x + 3)

Multiply (x3)(x+3)(x - 3)(x + 3). Notice that the two binomials are conjugates: they share the same first term xx and the same last term 33, but one uses subtraction and the other uses addition. Apply the Product of Conjugates Pattern (ab)(a+b)=a2b2(a - b)(a + b) = a^2 - b^2, where a=xa = x and b=3b = 3. Square the first term to get x2x^2, and square the last term to get 32=93^2 = 9. The product is the difference of these squares: x29x^2 - 9.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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