Question

What is v^4-1 simplified

Answer 1

$\bf \textit{difference of squares} \\ \quad \\ (a-b)(a+b) = a^2-b^2\qquad \qquad a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)\\\\ -------------------------------\\\\ v^4-1\implies v^4-1^4\implies (v^2)^2-(1^2)^2\implies \underline{(v^2-1^2)}(v^2+1^2) \\\\\\ \underline{(v-1)(v+1)}(v^2+1^2)$

Answer 2

The answer is:
(v-1)(v+1)(v^2+1)