Answer: (x - 1)(x + 1)(x² + 1)(x⁴ - 2)
<u>Step-by-step explanation:</u>
Given: x⁸ - 3x⁴ + 2
Let u = x⁴
then we get: u² - 3u + 2
Factor: (u - 1)(u - 2)
Substitute (replace u): (x⁴ - 1)(x⁴ - 2) <em>repeat these steps for x⁴ - 1</em>
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x⁴ - 1
Let u = x²
then we get: u² - 1
Factor: (u - 1)(u + 1)
Substitute (replace u): (x² - 1)(x² + 1) <em> factor x² - 1</em>
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x² - 1
Factor: (x - 1)(x + 1)
Next, put all the factors together. <em>You should have 8 x's (degree of 8)</em>
(x⁴ - 2)(x² + 1) (x - 1)(x + 1)