document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=216187>Question 216187</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi, I'm taking an online college algebra class but can't quite recall all the review concepts and am really stuck on this problem--\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Factor the expression completely:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4x^4 + 1 + 3x² \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer: (2x² + x + 1)(2x² - x - 1)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I can't figure out how to get the answer, it won't factor like a regular trinomial and doesn't come out right if I separate out the x², for instance. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "And since I've been just trying to learn online so far (my textbook hasn't arrived yet), I really don't get how each set of terms has three factors instead of two. Hope my question makes sense, my math-speak probably isn't too great. \r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I would really appreciate any help you can give me. And feel free to dumb it down! Also if you know where I could find more problems similar to this for practice, that would be fantastic.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Thanks--\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "EL </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #163303 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=163303\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Factor the expression completely:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4x^4 + 1 + 3x² <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Answer: (2x² + x + 1)(2x² - x - 1) <BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I would work it backwards. See if the product<BR>\n" );
document.write( "of those two factors gives you 4x^4 + 1 + 3x^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " (2x^2 + (x+1))(2x^2 -(x+1))<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 4x^4 - (x+1)^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "= 4x^4 -[x^2 + 2x + 1]<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "= 4x^4 - x^2 - 2x -1<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "That is not the same as 4x^4 + 1 + 3x^2<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I think your problem is asking you to do <BR>\n" );
document.write( "something that cannot be done.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H. </SPAN>\n" );
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