Question

Factor: x^8-1 I NEED MAJOR HELP PLEASE!!!

Answer 1

x^8-1

(x^4)^2-1^2

(x^4 - 1)(x^4 + 1) ... Use the difference of squares rule

((x^2)^2 - 1^2)(x^4 + 1)

(x^2-1)(x^2+1)(x^4 + 1) ... Use the difference of squares rule again

(x^2-1^2)(x^2+1)(x^4 + 1)

(x-1)(x+1)(x^2+1)(x^4 + 1) ... Use the difference of squares rule a third time

Answer 2

So x^8-1 completely factors to (x-1)(x+1)(x^2+1)(x^4 + 1)