Factorisation of Quadratics

These topics are covered in the Mathematics syllabus in preparation for the University of Malta MATSEC O level exam. However a strong knowledge of such topics will prove to be extremely important and useful for the workings in the A level topics. These topics are intended as a revision and brush-up for students starting their A level Pure Mathematics in Malta.

Difference of two squares

\begin{aligned}y&=x^2-4\\y&=x^2-2^2\\y&=(x-2)(x+2)\end{aligned}

\begin{aligned}y&=x^2-2\\y&=x^2-(\sqrt{2})^2\\y&=(x-\sqrt{2})(x+\sqrt{2})\end{aligned}