How do you factor #2x^4y^2-32#?

1 Answer
smendyka
Jul 1, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, factor out a common term from each term in the expression:

#(2 xx x^4y^2) - (2 xx 16) => 2(x^4y^2 - 16)#

Now, use this rule for quadratics to factor the term on the right:

#color(red)(x)^2 - color(blue)(y)^2 = (color(red)(x) + color(blue)(y))(color(red)(x) - color(blue)(y))#

#2(x^4y^2 - 16) => 2(x^2y - 4)(x^2y + 4)#

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