Read pages 219-220 Example 3 and pages 226-228 Examples 1, 2, and 3 in your textbook, Principles of Mathematics 12.

Complete the Your Turn questions on pages 220, 226, 227 and 228 for more practice in simplifying rational expressions.

Click here to verify your answers.

  • A second type of factoring you should review when working with rational expressions is factoring using difference of squares.
  • Read the following carefully, and talk to your teacher if you have any questions.

Factoring using the difference of squares:

Both terms are perfect squares.

The terms are separated by a subtraction sign.

These three features uniquely define x2 – 25 as a difference of squares.

When factoring a difference of squares first determine the square root of each term.

Ensure that one set of brackets has a minus sign and the other set of brackets has a plus sign.

The factored form is (x – 5)(x + 5).