Question

Write a linear factorization of the function. f(x) = x^4 + 4x^2

Answer 1

We can factor x^2 from both terms:

$x^2(x^2+4)$

This is a complete factorization over the reals, we can't go any deeper. If you're allowed to use complex numbers, we can continue to factor the parenthesis:

$x^2(x^2+4)=x^2(x+2i)(x-2i)$