Question

a polynomial has two terms. check all of the factoring methods that should be considered.
common factor
difference of cubes
sum of cubes
difference of squares
perfect-square trinomial
factoring by grouping
done

Explanation:

• A two-term polynomial (binomial) can first be checked for a common factor across both terms.
• Difference of cubes applies to binomials of the form $a^3 - b^3$.
• Sum of cubes applies to binomials of the form $a^3 + b^3$.
• Difference of squares applies to binomials of the form $a^2 - b^2$.
• Perfect-square trinomials and factoring by grouping require 3+ terms, so they do not apply here.

Answer:

• common factor
• difference of cubes
• sum of cubes
• difference of squares