Factor a^12-b^6

Question

Factor a^12-b^6

alones. · Answer

(a^2-b)(a^2+b)

jdoe0001 · Answer

yes, is a difference of squares, so, use that :)

owlcoffee · Answer

Not quite, rewrite it as:
$$a ^{12}-b^6 \iff (a^6)^2-(b^3)^2$$

alones. · Answer

Oh okaythanks ;)

directrix · Answer

@AloneS.   Is there a final answer for this problem?

alones. · Answer

@Directrix I think i have to look..i can't fine my hw

alones. · Answer

Oh my Gosh my techer corrected it and it was wrong -.- I put (a2-b)(a2+b) but the right answer was (a^6-b^3 )(a^6+b^3)
It was wrong @Directrix

directrix · Answer

The teacher needs to look again at this answer:  (a^6-b^3 )(a^6+b^3)

That will factor again as the difference and sum of two cubes.

Regardless, >>(a^2-b)(a^2+b) is not correct. It multiplies back to a^4 - b^2 which is not the same as the expression to be factored.



@AloneS.

alones. · Answer

Yeah i'll tell him on monday ..see what he says x3