document.write( "Question 1031482: Why is \"49y%5E2%2B16\" prime, but \"16y%5E2-49\" isn't? Any tips on how I can tell if a polynomial is prime or not? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #646174 by richard1234(7193)\"\" \"About 
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I assume by a prime polynomial you mean \"factorable over the integers.\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "16y^2 - 49 is factorable since it is the difference of two squares, and can be written as (4y-7)(4y+7). But 49y^2 + 16 can't be factored over integers.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "In general, determining whether a polynomial is factorable over integers is difficult, but sometimes you may be able to look for patterns, or find roots of the polynomial, etc.
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