document.write( "Question 150646: How do you completly factor p^4 - 1, what is the answer? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #110586 by vleith(2983) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
$\"p%5E4+-1\"$ is a difference of two squares.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28p%5E2+-1%29%28p%5E2%2B1%29\"$ \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now note that $\"p%5E2-1\"$ is also a difference of two squares. So you can factor that the same way
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28p%5E2+-1%29%28p%5E2%2B1%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"%28p-1%29%28p%2B1%29%28p%5E2%2B1%29\"$ \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "It is possible to factor $\"p%5E2%2B1\"$ using the quadratic equation. The resulting factors contain complex roots. Unless you are at the point where you know imaginary numbers, you don't need to factor $\"p%5E2%2B1\"$ past where it is now.
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