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Which set of features marks an expression as a difference of two squares?
ATwo terms, matching signs, both perfect squares
BTwo terms, opposite signs, both perfect squares
CThree terms, opposite signs, one perfect square
DThree terms, matching signs, both perfect cubes
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Two terms, opposite signs, both perfect squares
1. A difference of two squares comes from multiplying out a pair of matching brackets with opposite signs.
2. To spot one, look for an expression consisting of two terms.
3. The two terms must have different signs, one positive and one negative.
4. Each of the two terms must also be a perfect square.
5. An expression with three terms is a trinomial and needs a different method entirely.
_Source: Siyavula Mathematics Grade 10 (Everything Maths, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 1: Algebraic expressions_
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