Question

Factor completely:

(a^2 + 1)^2 - 12(a^ 2 + 1) + 20

Answer 1

if it will make your life easier, imagine x = (a^2 + 1)^2

so do you know how to factor x^2 - 12x + 20?

Answer 2

(x-10)(x-2)

Answer 3

correct

Answer 4

and you can check by foiling that out. it checks out.

Answer 5

right...now change x into (a^2 + 1)

Answer 6

(i made a typo above it should be imagine x = a^2 + 1..there should be no square there)

Answer 7

Okay, now what?

Answer 8

Hello?

Answer 9

change x into a^2 + 1
\[(x -10)(x-2) \implies (a^2 + 1 - 10)(a^2 + 1 - 2)\]
simplify

Answer 10

Got it thanks!