How do you factor this...
32x^4-1250

Question

How do you factor this... 
32x^4-1250

tkhunny · Answer

I'm tempted to factor out 32, but that doesn't quite work.
Hmmm...  Okay, then only 2
2*(16x^4 - 625) -- Ah!  There it is.  Do you see the Difference of Squares?

anonymous · Answer

hmmm so its tht easy! i was thinking about 2 as well but wasnt quite sure tht was as far as you could go. Thanks!

tkhunny · Answer

Did you get all THREE additional factors or just the ones with x^2?  You should have some with just 'x' before you think you are done.

anonymous · Answer

ohh. no i havnt.

tkhunny · Answer

32x^4 - 1250

2*(16x^4 - 625)

2*(4x^2 + 25)(4x^2 - 25)

That third factor is another Difference of Squares!!  Factor it!

anonymous · Answer

ohh okay i see. thnaks!

anonymous · Answer

what if it was 32^5 would it be 
2*(4x^3+25)(4x^2-25)

anonymous · Answer

@tkhunny

tkhunny · Answer

No.  Multiply those to back together and see what you get.  It's no good.

Difference of Squares
Difference of Cubes
Sum of Cubes

That's all you get with obviuos factoring properties.