Factor differences of squares

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise practices factoring quadratic expressions of the general difference of squares form: $$(ax)^2-b^2$$. The factored expressions have the general form $$(ax+b)(ax-b)$$.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:
 * 1) Factor the polynomial expression completely: This problem involves a polynomial expression and students are asked to factor it completely. The answer is to be typed in the text box below.

Strategies
Knowledge of the difference of squares factoring technique is highly recommended for accuracy and efficiency on this exercise.


 * 1) The difference of squares formula says $$ a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)$$.
 * 2) All expressions are monic (have leading coefficient of one) so the square of the constant will be the second space and x will always be in the first space.
 * 3) The answer box will automatically insert a closing parentheses when the user inputs a beginning parentheses.

Real-life applications

 * 1) Square roots have many uses in the physics as they are the way to undo squares in famous formulas like $$E=mc^2$$.
 * 2) Applications to trigonometry are also evident since the right triangle trigonometry is based on the Pythagorean Theorem.
 * 3) In geometry, the square root is necessary to find the distance between points or the magnitude of a vector.