SOLUTION: How do you factor (a+b)^4-(a-b)^4 ?

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: How do you factor (a+b)^4-(a-b)^4 ?      Log On


   



Question 961095: How do you factor (a+b)^4-(a-b)^4 ?
Answer by MathLover1(20849) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

%28a%2Bb%29%5E4-%28a-b%29%5E4....write %28a%2Bb%29%5E4 and %28a-b%29%5E4 as %28%28a%2Bb%29%5E2%29%5E2 and %28%28a-b%29%5E2%29%5E2 and use the rule for sum and difference of squares
%28%28a%2Bb%29%5E2%29%5E2-%28%28a-b%29%5E2%29%5E2
%28%28a%2Bb%29%5E2-%28a-b%29%5E2%29%28%28a%2Bb%29%5E2%2B%28a-b%29%5E2%29

%28a%2Bb-a%2Bb%29%28a%2Bb%2Ba-b%29%28a%5E2%2B2ab%2Bb%5E2%2Ba%5E2-2ab%2Bb%5E2%29
%282b%29%282a%29%28a%5E2%2B2ab%2Bb%5E2%2Ba%5E2-2ab%2Bb%5E2%29
4ab%282%28a%5E2%2Bb%5E2%29%29
4%2A2ab%28a%5E2%2Bb%5E2%29
8ab%28a%5E2%2Bb%5E2%29