document.write( "Question 903823: How do I factor this?
\n" ); document.write( " $\"m4+-38m%5E2n%5E2+%2B+72n%5E4\"$ \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The answer is $\"%28m-6n%29%28m%2B6n%29%28m%5E2-2n%5E2%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "I'm confused on how they got this answer. The 38 is not a typo, either. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #548316 by josgarithmetic(39620) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Not remembering any instruction during Introductory Algebra from so long ago that dealt with factoring degree 4 trinomial, eventually further instruction combined from Introductory and College Algebra contained enough knowledge to use polynomial division for trying to handle something like you have; including Rational Roots Theorem, although you are not interested in roots here.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "There is m^4 and n^4, the n^4 term having coefficient 72. Factors of 72 are 2, 3, 6, 12, 24,36.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "You would want to test DIVISORS of $\"m-2n\"$ , $\"m%2B2n\"$ , $\"m-3n\"$ , $\"m%2B3n\"$ , $\"m-6n\"$ , $\"m%2B6n\"$ , ... possibly others. Your DIVIDEND must be formed as $\"m%5E4%2B0m%5E3%2An%2B%28-38%29m%5E2n%5E2%2B0mn%5E3%2B72n%5E4\"$ ;\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "After finding the quotient with remainder of zero, you next use whatever skills you have for factoring, or you might try another polynomial division on the quotient, choosing a divisor that you believe is worth testing. \n" ); document.write( "

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