Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
OpenStax Logo
Algebra 1

6.6.4 Sorting Polynomials by Factoring Methods

Algebra 16.6.4 Sorting Polynomials by Factoring Methods

6.6.4 Sorting Polynomials by Factoring Methods

6.6.4 • Sorting Polynomials by Factoring Methods

Cool Down

Examine the following polynomials:
 27q2−327q2−3
 x2−10x+25−y2x2−10x+25−y2
 16x2−72x+8116x2−72x+81
 36y2+12y+136y2+12y+1
 4p2−1004p2−100
 x2+12x+36 − y2x2+12x+36 − y2

Sort the polynomials by whether you would factor them using the difference of squares or the perfect square trinomial method.

Draw a table similar to this on a sheet of paper. Record your results. If a polynomial requires both methods, place it in both columns.

Difference of Squares Method Perfect Square Trinomial Method






Why Should I Care?

Ozzie Gomez and Juan Casava own a store called Plant Shop Chicago. They use polynomials everyday to make sure the operations of their small business go smoothly.

One of the most important parts of running a business is understanding where your money is going. You need to know how much you are spending and how much you are making. For example, Ozzie Gomez and Juan Cassava can use polynomials to calculate how many different plants they can buy and how much money they can make off of each sale.

PreviousNext
Order a print copy
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/algebra-1/pages/about-this-course

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Apr 23, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.