Question 307731: Factor completely and identify if prime:
98a^4-72b^2
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 98a^4-72b^2
The first step in ANY factoring problem is to factor the COMMON FACTOR. In this case, you can factor a common factor of 2:
2(49a^4-36b^2)
This leaves a difference of two squares, which factors
2(7a^2-6b)(7a^2+ 6b)
I have quite a bit of explanation about FACTORING with examples solved in LIVING COLOR on my own website. Please go to "www2.seminolestate.edu/rrapalje". Look for the links on my Homepage "Basic, Intermediate, and College Algebra: One Step at a Time" and also "MATH IN LIVING COLOR", and look under either "Basic Algebra" (Chapter 2) OR at a higher level try "Intermediate Algebra" (coincidentally also Chapter 2).
I also have an explanation of Factoring on video from my own teaching in class before I retired a few years ago. To see the videos, look for "Rapalje Videos in Living Color", and see either Basic or Intermediate Algebra for the topic of Factoring.
I think you will find the explanations, both written and video, much easier to understand than traditional textbooks. And it's all FREE--even the videos!!
Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College of Florida
Altamonte Springs Campus
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