Question

In what conditions can a factored expression be factored further?

Answer 1

I don't know

Answer 2

@jim_thompson5910

Answer 3

If you have something like x^4 - 16 you can use the difference of squares rule to get (x^2-4)(x^2+4)

Answer 4

(x^2-4)(x^2+4) is a factored form but we can factor things down further

Answer 5

x^2 - 4 will factor to (x-2)(x+2)

Answer 6

so (x^2-4)(x^2+4) turns into (x-2)(x+2)(x^2+4)

Answer 7

that's just one example how sometimes there are multiple steps/layers of factoring

Answer 8

Thank you! :)