Q. Factor x4+8x2+16 completely.All factors in your answer should have integer coefficients.______
Identify Polynomial: We are given the polynomial x4+8x2+16 and asked to factor it completely. The polynomial resembles a perfect square trinomial, which has the form (a2+2ab+b2)=(a+b)2. We will attempt to express the given polynomial in this form.
Identify Square of First Term: First, we identify the square of the first term. The first term of the polynomial is x4, which is the square of x2. So, we have a=x2.
Identify Square of Last Term: Next, we identify the square of the last term. The last term of the polynomial is 16, which is the square of 4. So, we have b=4.
Check Middle Term: Now, we check if the middle term of the polynomial fits the pattern of a perfect square trinomial. The middle term is 8x2, and for a perfect square trinomial, the middle term should be 2ab. We have a=x2 and b=4, so 2ab=2×x2×4=8x2, which matches the middle term of the polynomial.
Write as Square of Binomial: Since the polynomial fits the pattern of a perfect square trinomial, we can write it as the square of a binomial. The binomial is (a+b), where a=x2 and b=4. Therefore, the polynomial can be factored as (x2+4)2.
Check Further Factorization: Finally, we check if the binomial (x2+4) can be factored further with integer coefficients. Since x2+4 does not have real roots and cannot be factored over the integers, we conclude that (x2+4)2 is the complete factorization of the polynomial.
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