Question

One of the factors of p^5 - 144p^3 is
a. p3
b. p + 12
c. p - 12
d. All of the above

Answer 1

@jim_thompson5910

Answer 2

\[\Large\bf\sf p^5-144^3\]Factoring out a p^3 gives us:\[\Large\bf\sf p^3(p^2-144)\quad=\quad p^3(p^2-12^2)\]p^2 and 12^2 are both `squares`.
Do you remember how to break down the `difference of squares` ?

Answer 3

Ah typo on the first line, sorry :c\[\Large\bf\sf p^5-144^3\]Was supposed to be,\[\Large\bf\sf p^5-144p^3\]