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Finding the difference of 2 squares:

For a binomial to be a difference of 2 squares two conditions must hold:

1. There must be two terms that are both squares

2. There must be a minus sign between the terms.

Ex:   x - 25   yes

- 36 - x  no

- 1 + 9 m yes

To factor differences of two terms:

Recall that   ( x + 3)( x - 3) = x - 9

So we know that   x - 9 = ( x + 3)( x - 3)

Examples:  

4 x - 25 = (2 x - 5)(2 x + 5)

m - 16 n = ( m - 4 n )( m + 4 n )  

36 x - 25 y =  (6 x - 5 y )(6 x + 5 y )  

9 a b - 49 = ( 3 a b - 7)( 3 a b + 7)

49 x - 9 x = x (49 - 9 x ) =  x (7 - 3x) (7 + 3x)

18 a b - 50 a = 2 a (9 b - 25 a ) =  2 a (3b - 5a)(3b + 5a)