If the polynomial cannot be factored, write PRIME
Factoring Using Distributive Property.
MEDALS REWARDED!!

Question

If the polynomial cannot be factored, write PRIME
Factoring Using Distributive Property.
MEDALS REWARDED!!

31356 · Answer

x^2-16
Can this be factored?

31356 · Answer

@satellite73 
@jim_thompson5910

anonymous · Answer

Yes. You can use the factorization formula for a difference of two squares.
a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b)

(x+4)(x-4)

31356 · Answer

Okay thanks how about this one?

31356 · Answer

2x^3-128x

anonymous · Answer

We can factor out a 2 to begin with.

2(x^3-64x)

Now it's a difference of two cubes. There's a factorization formula for that, as well:
a^3-b^3=(a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)

We can factor 2(x^3-64x) using that.

2(x-4)(x^2+4x+16)