Question

factor the expression completely: 16x^4-16

Answer 1

The greatest factor of that expression is 16:
\[16(x^4 - 1)\]

Can you factor the expression in parenthesis?

Answer 2

(x^2)^2-1^2?

Answer 3

What about:
\[(x^2 - 1)(x^2 + 1)\]
?

Answer 4

true.. 16(x^2-i)(x^2+1)
you can still factor out the (x^2-1) right?

Answer 5

Right (I'm guessing the "i" is a typo and you meant 1).

So the (x^2 - 1) can be factored again.

Answer 6

yeah sorry.. haha
but that factors out to be (x-1)(x+1)
so that gives you 16(x-1)(x+1)(x^2+1)

Answer 7

You got it. That's completely factored.

Answer 8

cool thanks! :D

Answer 9

No prob.