[Blindmath] Help factoring a crazy trinomial

[I. C. Bray]

OK,
While I agree that;
x^4-2x^2-1 is not factorable, why are we assuming that it is a typo?

Should not we address the equation as written? /LOL!/
X^4-2X^2-

1



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Susan Osterhaus" <osterhauss at tsbvi.edu>
To: "Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics" 
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>; "GianniP46" <giannip46 at earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 6:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Help factoring a crazy trinomial


:I definitely think it was a typo.
:
: x⁴-2x²+1 = (x+1)(x-1)(x+1)(x-1) = (x-1)²(x+1)² = (x²-1)² = (x²-1)(
: x²-1) or
:
: x^(4)-2x^(2)+1 = (x+1)(x-1)(x+1)(x-1) = ((x-1)^(2))((x+1)^(2)) = (x^(2)-
: 1)^2 = (x^(2)-1)(x^(2)-1)
:
: I think this last factorization is what you were looking for when you
: said " four termed expression where the product of the first and last
: terms must equal  the product of the two middle terms." I think you want
: to use a factoring technique.
:
: The original trinomial is what is called a perfect square trinomial, and
: it can be solved by factoring. The general case is as follows:
: a²-2ab+b² = (a-b)² or
: a^(2)-2ab+b^(2) = (a-b)^2
:
: I hope this is what you were trying to remember.
:
: Susan
:
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jon
: Yaggie
: Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 2:13 PM
: To: GianniP46; Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
: Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Help factoring a crazy trinomial
:
: Note if it was a typo.  And it should have been x^2 - 2x +1.  You still
: would solve it by the substitution. Or synthetic division if you know a
: root.
:
: Jon Yaggie
:
:
: > On Oct 23, 2013, at 13:49, "GianniP46" <giannip46 at earthlink.net> wrote:
: >
: > Hi all,
: > I need help factoring X^4-2X^2-1
: >
: > I am thinking that there is a way of re writing this as a four termed
: > expression where the product of the first and last terms must equal
: > the product of the two middle terms, but I am stuck :( I know the
: > answer is (X+1)(X-1)(X+1)(X-1) Feeling very dumb, any help would be
: > appreciated THANKS lol
: >
: > Gian Pedulla
: > Giannip46 at earthlink.net
: >
: > LETS GO METS!
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