Question

Given the expression: 3x^10 − 48x^2

Answer 1

Answer:

Part A: 3x²(x⁸ - 16)

Part B: 3x²(x² - 2)(x² + 2) (x² - 2x + 2)(x² + 2x + 2)  

Step-by-step explanation:

Part A. Factor out the greatest common factor

3x¹⁰ - 48 x²

= 3x²(x⁸ - 16)

Part B. Factor the expression completely

(i) Factor the difference of squares

x⁸ - 16

= (x⁴ - 4)(x⁴ + 4)

= (x² - 2)(x² + 2)(x⁴ + 4)

3x¹⁰ - 48 x² = 3x²(x² - 2)(x² + 2)(x⁴ + 4)

(ii) Factor the sum of squares

Use the Sophie Germain Identity to factor x⁴ + 4.

x⁴ + 4

= (x²)² + 2²           (Still a sum of squares)

= (x² + 2)² - 4x²    (Factor this as a difference of squares)

= (x² + 2 - 2x)(x² + 2 + 2x)

3x¹⁰ - 48 x² = 3x² (x² - 2)(x² + 2) (x² - 2x + 2)(x² + 2x + 2)