document.write( "Question 164540: Hi I would like to know if the sum of squares (x^2 +y^2) can be factored? Thank you for your time. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #121232 by jim_thompson5910(35256) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It cannot be factored over the real numbers, but if you include complex numbers in the mix, then you can factor $\"x%5E2+%2By%5E2\"$ \r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "In this case, $\"x%5E2+%2By%5E2\"$ factors to $\"%28x%2Byi%29%28x-yi%29\"$ . This is almost identical to the difference of squares but with an added \"i\" term.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If you have never heard of complex numbers or the \"i\" term, then the answer is you cannot factor $\"x%5E2+%2By%5E2\"$ . \n" ); document.write( "

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