According to the Difference of Squares Pattern, how does a^2-b^2 factor?

1. The pattern reverses the Product of Conjugates: multiplying (a - b) and (a + b) gives a squared - b squared. 2. Factoring in reverse, a squared - b squared becomes the product of conjugates (a - b)(a + b). 3. Squaring either binomial instead of pairing opposite signs would produce a trinomial with a middle term, not the original two-term difference. _Source: OpenStax Elementary Algebra (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Factoring", section 7.4 Factor Special Products_