Mirror Mirror - Polynomials

(x + 6)(x - 6)

The easy, quick answer is ...

      2
x   - 36

(x + 7)(x - 7)

The easy, quick answer is ...

       2

x   - 49

(x + 8)(x - 8)

The easy, quick answer is ...

      2

x   - 64

See a pattern? I call these "mirror" questions because the values inside the brackets are mirror images of each other. One sign is "positive" and the other is "negative." 

The quick and easy way to answer these questions is to put a square (2) behind the "x", 
                                                                   2

                                                           x  

put down a "negative sign ( - )"         2

                                                  x      -

and then multiply (or square) the two numbers in the brackets.    
                                            2

                     x      -    64

Done. Move on to the next question.

Note: You need to have mirror images. If you have (x + 8)(x + 8), you have a whole 'nuther question, which can't be solved using this short cut.