Question

how do you factor this expression will give medal and fan help

Answer 1

\[a ^{4}+7a ^{2}+6\]

Answer 2

@Jack_Prism

Answer 3

Im pretty sure this equation is already factored

Answer 4

thats what they gave me and told me to factor that was the whole question

Answer 5

See but there is nothing more you can do to the problem

Answer 6

so what do i say to anwser

Answer 7

answer*

Answer 8

You just re-write the equation

Answer 9

ok

Answer 10

yup

Answer 11

thanks

Answer 12

you are very welcome

Answer 13

tarzinian

Answer 14

Tris, this problem is not `already factored`.
It is the opposite, it is fully expanded.

Do you still need assistance with this one?

Answer 15

yes

Answer 16

Zep, Is that true....i thought i was already factored out?

Answer 17

Factoring is to break it down into groups of multiplication :)
You're probably mixing words up and thinking of "expanding out"

Answer 18

If you had this problem: \(\large\rm x^2+7x+6\)
Would you know how to factor it Tris? :)

Answer 19

@Mehek14 Someone needs your help! To the Mehek-mobile!

Answer 20

Seriously tho this place is filled to the brim with mathletes

Answer 21

I apologize for my mistake, thank you zep

Answer 22

i had a feeling they wouldnt give the question if i cant give an answer other than the question but it says factor the polynomial completely

Answer 23

What's with all these equations and theorems? Is it that hard to give a simple answer?

Answer 24

You've clearly missed the point of this site CheesecakePuppy <.<
You are no kitten at all...

Answer 25

Tris, did you not see my last question?
Are you able to factor this? \(\large\rm x^2+7x+6\)

Answer 26

@zepdrix

Answer 27

sorry my computer is broken i am using my moms this guy came in to take it and fix it

Answer 28

Haha weird XD

Answer 29

yes\[\left( x +1\right)\left( x+6 \right)\]

Answer 30

Ok good.
Notice that your problem is actually this:\[\large\rm a^4+7a^2+6\quad=\color{orangered}{(a^2)}^2+7\color{orangered}{(a^2)}+6\]Making the substitution \(\large\rm \color{orangered}{(a^2)=x}\) gives us:\[\large\rm \color{orangered}{(a^2)}^2+7\color{orangered}{(a^2)}+6\quad= \color{orangered}{x}^2+7\color{orangered}{x}+6\]

Answer 31

where did you get x from

Answer 32

I was making a substitution to simplify the 4th degree polynomial into a quadratic.

Answer 33

oh yeah

Answer 34

It's a weird little trick that you have to get used to.

Answer 35

But do you see what we're going to end up with?
\[\large\rm (\color{orangered}{x}+1)(\color{orangered}{x}+6)\quad=(\color{orangered}{?}+1)(\color{orangered}{?}+6)\]Undo the substitution as a final step.

Answer 36

\[\left( a ^{2}+1 \right)\left( a ^{2}+6 \right)\]

Answer 37

Yay good job \c:/

Answer 38

thx