document.write( "Question 447729: Im having trouble factoring polynomials. Can you please teach me how. Heres one of my homework problems: 36m2-81 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #308188 by josmiceli(19441) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Notice that $\"36\"$ is a perfect square, and $\"m%5E2\"$ is a
\n" ); document.write( "perfect square, so you can write them like this:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+6%5E2%2Am%5E2+=+%286m%29%5E2+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Also, $\"81\"$ is a perfect square $\"+81+=+9%5E2\"$
\n" ); document.write( "---------------
\n" ); document.write( "A general rule of algebra is:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+a%5E2+-+b%5E2+=+%28a%2Bb%29%2A%28a-b%29+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "In your case, you have:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"+%286m%29%5E2+-+9%5E2+=+%286m+%2B+9%29%2A%286m+-+9%29+\"$
\n" ); document.write( "-------------
\n" ); document.write( "The above rule is worth remembering. Hope this helps \n" ); document.write( "

\n" );