Question

Factor the following binomial completely. x squared minus 36

Answer 1

x² - 36 = x² - 6². Remember the identity of the difference of 2 squares:

a² - b² = (a+b)(a-b), So:

x²-6² = (x+6)(x-6)

Answer 2

x squared minus 36 can be rewritten as x^2-36, or x^2 - 6^2.  This final result is the difference of two squares.  Thus, the factors are (x-6) and (x+6).