Question 1167462
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1)   Can the below be factored since it does not have all like characters?      4a^2 + 16ab + 16b^2


<pre>
    Yes it can be factored.

        4a^2 + 16ab + 16b^2  =  (2a + 4b)^2.
</pre>


2) &nbsp;&nbsp;Also, have I correctly factored ax^2 -a = To be a(a+1)(a-1)


<pre>
    Your "factoring" is WRONG.

    The correct factoring is  ax^2 -a = a*(x+1)*(x-1).
</pre>

Solved and answered.


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By the way, &nbsp;when you pose your question this way

<pre>
    Can the below be factored since it does not have all like characters?
    4a^2 + 16ab + 16b^2
</pre>

you make several logical/mathematical errors simultaneously.



First is that &nbsp;" it does not have all like characters ".

    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In contrary, &nbsp;it has the common factor 4.



Second, &nbsp;in order for an expression could be factored, &nbsp;it is &nbsp;NOT &nbsp;NECESSARY &nbsp;to have all like characters:

    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a^2 - b^2 = (a+b)*(a-b).