Question

how do you know when a polynomial is completely factored?




like... 4(n^4 -8)
or
5x^4 (12x^3 - 6x^2 - 18x)

Answer 1

A polynomial is completely factored when you can't do any more transformation .
5x^4 (12x^3 - 6x^2 - 18x). Put 6x in factor.
30 x^5 (2x^2 - x - 3). Put the trinomial into factors use Tip 1 when you have a + b + c = 0
10x^5 *(x - 1)(2x + 3). This is completely factored.
4(n^4 - 8) = 4 (n^2 - 2V2)(n^2 + 2V2).