Factor completely:

v^4y^4 -16y^4
.

Question

Factor completely:

v^4y^4 -16y^4
.

anonymous · Answer

(v^4-16)y^4

anonymous · Answer

@jim_thompson5910 is this right factoring isn't usually a problem but I need to make sure lol

anonymous · Answer

OR is it (V-2)(V+2)(V^2+4)Y^4

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

hint: 
$$\Large v^4 - 16 = (v^2)^2 - (4)^2$$

anonymous · Answer

What about the y?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

ignore that for now

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

difference of squares rule: a^2 - b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)

anonymous · Answer

like in the second equation I did? with the (v-2)(v+2)

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

v^4y^4 -16y^4

(v^4 -16)y^4

((v^2)^2 -16)y^4

((v^2)^2 -4^2)y^4

(v^2 - 4)(v^2 + 4)y^4 ... apply difference of squares rule

(v - 2)(v + 2)(v^2 + 4)y^4 ... apply difference of squares rule again

anonymous · Answer

(V-2)(V+2)(V^2+4)Y^4 that's what I put backa t the top =o you're saying I need to apply the rule to it one more time

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

yes you'll use the difference of squares rule twice

anonymous · Answer

ok and this time i'll use it on the y^4?

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

no you pull out y^4 and temporarily ignore it while you apply the difference of squares rule

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

you only use the difference of squares rule when you have two squares and you're subtracting them

anonymous · Answer

ugh four more left and my brain stopped working 5 questions ago I even ate salmon! isn't that like the best brain food =p

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

why not take a break then

anonymous · Answer

because I'm soooo close!!! I didn't come this far without a break to stop now it's only 4