factor the polynomial completely using any method.

x^4 - 13x^2 + 36

Question

factor the polynomial completely using any method.

x^4 - 13x^2 + 36

anonymous · Answer

what 2 numbers multiply together = 36 add together = -13

anonymous · Answer

-9 & -4

mathmale · Answer

Mag is suggesting that you (lxoser) jump right in and factor x^4 - 13x^2 + 36.  It might be slightly easier to see what to do if you let x^2=q and then rewrite the given polynomial as q^2 - 13q + 36.

mathmale · Answer

@lxoser:  very good.  What do you do next to complete the factoring?

anonymous · Answer

(x-9) (x-4)

mathmale · Answer

But that won't give you a first term of x^4, will it?

anonymous · Answer

x^2 (x-9)(x-4)

mathmale · Answer

Earlier I suggested that you let q=x^2.  Then the original polynomial factors into
q^2 - 13q + 36.  Factor that, please.

mathmale · Answer

??

anonymous · Answer

what mag suggested by jumping in and factoring x^4 -13^2 + 36 that's what i was taught to do. i know the numbers are -9 and - 4, im stuck on how to implement them with this.

anonymous · Answer

ok let me jump in then

anonymous · Answer

u got (x-9)(x-4) then|dw:1448134330587:dw|