Question 275622
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*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ a^4\ +\ a^2]


You can take *[tex \Large a^2] out.


*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ a^2\left(a^2\ +\ 1\right)]


If you are factoring over the reals, then you are done -- *[tex \Large a^2\ +\ 1] does not factor over the reals.


If you are factoring over the Complex numbers:


*[tex \LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ a^2\left(a\ +\ i\right)\left(a\ -\ i\right)]


where *[tex \Large i] is the imaginary number defined by *[tex \Large i^2\ =\ -1]



John
*[tex \LARGE e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0]
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