Module 5 Vocabulary
Area of a Rectangle – The number of square units it takes to completely
fill a rectangle, given by the formula: length × width = area.
Difference of Two Squares – The perfect square of one number
subtracted from the perfect square of another number. This can be
factored, as given by the formula: a2 – b2 = (a + b)(a – b).
Expansion Method – A method used to factor a trinomial, where the
coefficient of the first term does not equal one, into two binomial
factors. Using the factors of the first and last numbers which add to the
middle number, the middle term is rewritten and expanded to form a
four-term polynomial which is then factored using the grouping method.
Also called the “ac” method.
Greatest Common Factor – The largest number or term that divides
exactly into two or more terms. Commonly referred to as the GCF.
Grouping Method – A method used to factor a four-term polynomial into
two binomial factors. The polynomial is split in half, and then the GCF
is factored out of each side, resulting in a common binomial. The final
two binomial factors consist of one factor being the common binomial
and the other factor being a binomial of the two GCF’s.
Perfect Square – The product of a number or term multiplied by itself.
Perfect Square Trinomial – A trinomial whose first and last terms are
perfect squares and whose middle term is twice the product of the square
roots of the first and last terms. This can be factored into two identical
binomial factors, as given by the formulas:
a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)(a + b) = (a + b)2
a2 – 2ab + b2 = (a – b)(a – b) = (a – b)2
Pythagorean Theorem – Given a right triangle (a triangle that forms a
90° angle), the square of the hypotenuse (the diagonal side) is equal to
sum of squares of the two legs (the other sides). Given the
measurements of two sides of a right triangle, it is used to find the
measurement of the third side, as given by the formula: a2 + b2 = c2.
Zero Property Rule - When two factors are multiplied together and the
product is zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero.