Lesson Plan

Identify algebraic patterns (difference of squares, perfect square trinomials, sum/difference of cubes) within expressions by examining their structure

Rewrite expressions by recognizing and applying known factoring patterns, including in cases where substitution reveals hidden structure

Use a temporary substitution (e.g., letting u = x^2) to simplify the apparent form of an expression and apply known patterns

Explain why a particular rewriting strategy was chosen based on the visible structure of the expression

Verify that a rewritten expression is equivalent to the original by expanding or evaluating at test values

HSA.SSE.A.2

HSA.SSE.A.2: Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it. For example, see x^4 - y^4 as (x^2)^2 - (y^2)^2, thus recognizing it as a difference of squares that can be factored as (x^2 - y^2)(x^2 + y^2).