# Polynomials

## Special Products


### Square a Binomial Using the Binomial Squares Pattern

Mathematicians like to look for patterns that will make their work easier. A good example of this is squaring binomials. While you can always get the product by writing the binomial twice and using the methods of the last section, there is less work to do if you learn to use a pattern.
Look at these results. Do you see any patterns?
What about the number of terms? In each example we squared a binomial and the result was a trinomial.
Now look at the  in each result. Where did it come from?
The first term is the product of the first terms of each binomial. Since the binomials are identical, it is just the square of the first term!
To get the  of the product, .
Where did the  come from? Look at the examples and find the pattern.
The last term is the product of the last terms, which is the square of the last term.
To get the .
Finally, look at the . Notice it came from adding the “outer” and the “inner” terms—which are both the same! So the middle term is double the product of the two terms of the binomial.
To get the .
Putting it all together:
To square a binomial:
1. square the first term
2. square the last term
3. double their product
A number example helps verify the pattern.
To multiply  usually you’d follow the Order of Operations.
The pattern works!

### Multiply Conjugates Using the Product of Conjugates Pattern

We just saw a pattern for squaring binomials that we can use to make multiplying some binomials easier. Similarly, there is a pattern for another product of binomials. But before we get to it, we need to introduce some vocabulary.
What do you notice about these pairs of binomials?
Look at the first term of each binomial in each pair.
Notice the first terms are the same in each pair.
Look at the last terms of each binomial in each pair.
Notice the last terms are the same in each pair.
Notice how each pair has one sum and one difference.
A pair of binomials that each have the same first term and the same last term, but one is a sum and one is a difference has a special name. It is called a conjugate pair and is of the form .
There is a nice pattern for finding the product of conjugates. You could, of course, simply FOIL to get the product, but using the pattern makes your work easier.
Let’s look for the pattern by using FOIL to multiply some conjugate pairs.
Each first term is the product of the first terms of the binomials, and since they are identical it is the square of the first term.
The last term came from multiplying the last terms, the square of the last term.
What do you observe about the products?
The product of the two binomials is also a binomial! Most of the products resulting from FOIL have been trinomials.
Why is there no middle term? Notice the two middle terms you get from FOIL combine to 0 in every case, the result of one addition and one subtraction.
The product of conjugates is always of the form . This is called a difference of squares.
This leads to the pattern:
Let’s test this pattern with a numerical example.
Notice, the result is the same!
The binomials in the next example may look backwards – the variable is in the second term. But the two binomials are still conjugates, so we use the same pattern to multiply them.
Now we’ll multiply conjugates that have two variables.

### Recognize and Use the Appropriate Special Product Pattern

We just developed special product patterns for Binomial Squares and for the Product of Conjugates. The products look similar, so it is important to recognize when it is appropriate to use each of these patterns and to notice how they differ. Look at the two patterns together and note their similarities and differences.

### Key Concepts

1. Binomial Squares Pattern


2. Product of Conjugates Pattern


3. To multiply conjugates:



### Practice Makes Perfect

Square a Binomial Using the Binomial Squares Pattern
In the following exercises, square each binomial using the Binomial Squares Pattern.
Multiply Conjugates Using the Product of Conjugates Pattern
In the following exercises, multiply each pair of conjugates using the Product of Conjugates Pattern.
Recognize and Use the Appropriate Special Product Pattern
In the following exercises, find each product.

### Everyday Math


### Writing Exercises


### Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?