1. Factor the expression 36a^4b^10-81a^16b^20 using the two different techniques listed for Parts 1 (a) and 1 (b).

(a) Factor the given expression using the GCF monomial.

(b) Factor the given expression using the difference of squares

(a) Factor the given expression using the GCF monomial. 36a^4b^10-81a^16b^20 GCF = 9a^4b^10 36a^4b^10 / 9a^4b^10 = 4 81a^16b^20 / 9a^4b^10 = 9a^12b^10 Answer: 9a^4b^10 (4 - 9a^12b^10) (b) Factor the given expression using the difference of squares sqrt (36a^4b^10) = 6a^2b^5 sqrt (81a^16b^20) = 9a^8b^10 Answer = (6a^2b^5 + 9a^8b^10) (6a^2b^5 - 9a^8b^10) Note: completely factoring would mean do part a, then part b: GCF: 9a^4b^10 sqrt (4) = 2 sqrt (9a^12b^10) = 3a^6b^5 Completely factored answer: 9a^4b^10 (2 + 3a^6b^5) (2 - 3a^6b^5)