In Exercises 1–68, factor completely, or state that the polynomial is prime. 4x⁵ − 64x
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Step 1: Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms in the polynomial.
Step 2: Factor out the GCF from the polynomial.
Step 3: Recognize the remaining expression as a difference of squares, if applicable.
Step 4: Apply the difference of squares formula: a² - b² = (a - b)(a + b).
Step 5: Check if the resulting factors can be factored further or if they are prime.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials involves breaking down a polynomial expression into simpler components, or factors, that when multiplied together yield the original polynomial. This process often includes identifying common factors, applying special factoring techniques like difference of squares, and using methods such as grouping or synthetic division.
The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is the largest factor that divides two or more numbers or terms without leaving a remainder. In polynomial expressions, finding the GCF is crucial as it simplifies the factoring process by allowing us to factor out the GCF from each term, making the remaining polynomial easier to work with.
A prime polynomial is a polynomial that cannot be factored into simpler polynomials with integer coefficients. Recognizing whether a polynomial is prime is essential in algebra, as it determines if further factorization is possible. If a polynomial cannot be expressed as a product of lower-degree polynomials, it is considered prime.