SOLUTION: I need to factor the polynomial completely. 9x^2 + 4y^2

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Question 324837: I need to factor the polynomial completely.
9x^2 + 4y^2
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Since you have a sum of two squares (9x%5E2+%2B+4y%5E2=%283x%29%5E2%2B%282y%29%5E2), this means that you cannot factor 9x%5E2+%2B+4y%5E2 over the rational numbers (if it were a difference of squares, it would be a different story).


However, if you want to factor over the complex numbers, then 9x%5E2+%2B+4y%5E2=%283x%2B2yi%29%283x-2yi%29. However, chances are that you aren't studying complex numbers.


If this is the case, then 9x%5E2+%2B+4y%5E2 can't be factored and it is prime.