DoS by Nitzuga

Dierence of Squares
AoPS User Nitzuga

January 2014
Introduction
Today we will be talking about my favorite MATHCOUNTS trick - the dierence

of squares. The dierence of squares is a powerful tool that helps you solve many
computation and algebra problems much faster than you ever thought you could.
Questions that do not have a source in parentheses beside them are my
own questions. I use many MATHCOUNTS examples on purpose to emphasize
the tricks importance on these tests. Many questions in MATHCOUNTS are
giveaways if you can eectively use this trick. By the end of the article you
should be able to solve every problem of this kind that anyone throws at you.
The Tool
What exactly is the dierence of squares? Consider the following expression:

(a + b)(a
b)
We can expand this expression by using the distributive property twice, a strategy known as FOIL1 . Thus we get:
(a + b)(a
b) = (a)(a
b) + (b)(a
b)
= (a)(a) + (a)( b) + (b)(a) + (b)( b)

= a2
a
b +
a
b
= a2
b2
b2
Thus, we have proven our tool. For all values of a and b, a2
b2 = (a + b)(a
b).
1 FOIL stands for First Outer Inner Last: you multiply the first terms in each binomial,
then add that to the product of the outer terms, etc.
Examples
The seemingly simple tool we learned above can be used to solve a variety of
problems.
Example 1: Find the value of 1032
972 .
We immediately recognize this as a dierence of squares. Substituting 103

and 97 for a and b, we see that 1032 972 = (103 + 97)(103 97) = (200)(6) =
1200 . Much easier than computing those squares!
Example 2: What is the value of the product 4753? (2013 MATHCOUNTS)
The solution to this question is not quite as obvious. However, after thinking
about it we can see that 47 = 50 3 and 53 = 50 + 3. This means that
47 53 = (50 3)(50 + 3) = 502 32 = 2500 9 = 2491 . Again, no scary
computation!
a2 + 2ab + b2
.
a 2 b2
We can factor both the numerator and the denominator of the fraction:
Example 3: Simplify:
a2 + 2ab + b2
(a
+
b)(a + b)
a+b
=
=
.
2
2
a
b
(a + b)(a b)
a b
If you are not convinced by the factoring of the numerator, try it yourself. This
is another important factorization.
Example 4: What is the greatest prime factor of 221? (MATHCOUNTS 2003)
This, by itself, is not a difficult question. However, in its original role as
a Countdown problem at Nationals, it is important to find the fastest way to
solve it. There is no dierence of squares in sight, but we can create one.
221 = 225 4 = 152 22 = (15 + 2)(15 2) = 17 13. We can see our answer
is 17 , and we are done.
Example 5: What is the value of 52683 52683
COUNTS 2011)
52660 52706? (MATH-
We note that the first half of the expression is 526832 . After inspecting it,
we see that the second half of the expression is simply (52683 23)(52683 + 23).
Therefor we see find that:
52683 52683
52660 52706 = (526832 )
= (
52683
)
(52683 23)(52683 + 23)
(
52683
232 )
= 232 = 529
Not bad for the last question on a State Sprint round.
Problems
Here are a variety of problems involving the dierence of squares for you to
practice with.
Problem 1: What is 13132
12122 ? (MATHCOUNTS 2013)
Problem 2: What is the value of

Problem 3: Factor: a4
4442
444
1112
? (MATHCOUNTS 2013)
111
b4 .
Problem 4: Find the sum of all of the prime factors of 216
1.
Problem 5: Show that the dierence of the squares of 2 consecutive integers

is equal to the sum of the two integers.
Problem 6: If you subtract 100 from the square of an integer n, the result is
50 more than 5 times the integer n. What is the greatest possible value of n?
(MATHCOUNTS 2011)
Problem 7: What is the sum of all of the prime factors of 609?
Problem 8: How many positive integers less than 2011 cannot be expressed as
the dierence of the squares of two positive integers? (MATHCOUNTS 2011)
Conclusion
Congratulations on making it through this article! This special factorization is

often used in beginning math contests and it is usually quite obvious when you
need to use it. If you need extra practice, you can find more problems by using
the search tool on AoPS or by writing your own problems. Good luck!

DoS by Nitzuga

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DoS by Nitzuga

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

DoS by Nitzuga

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dierence of Squares

AoPS User Nitzuga

Today we will be talking about my favorite MATHCOUNTS trick - the dierence

What exactly is the dierence of squares? Consider the following expression:

= (a)(a) + (a)( b) + (b)(a) + (b)( b)

Thus, we have proven our tool. For all values of a and b, a2

We immediately recognize this as a dierence of squares. Substituting 103

52660 52706? (MATH-

52660 52706 = (526832 )

(52683 23)(52683 + 23)

12122 ? (MATHCOUNTS 2013)

Problem 2: What is the value of

Problem 4: Find the sum of all of the prime factors of 216

Problem 5: Show that the dierence of the squares of 2 consecutive integers

Congratulations on making it through this article! This special factorization is

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.