# More Factoring

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##### Full Member
Factor completely.

x^4 + x^3 + x + 1

x^3(x + 1) + (x + 1)

(x^3 + 1)(x + 1)

The binomial term (x^3 + 1) is the sum of cubes, right?

Keep going.

#### Otis

##### Senior Member
Factor completely ...
But not here, in the forum.

... (x^3 + 1) is [a] sum of cubes, right?

$$\;$$

##### Full Member
a^3 + b^3 = (a+b)(a^1-ab+b^2)

Rewrite x^3 + 1 as x^3 + 1^3.

I now know that a = x and b = 1.

Now I plug and chug.

(x + 1)(x^2 - x(1) + 1^2)

(x + 1)(x^2 - x + 1)

LCM = (x + 1)(sum of cubes)

LCM = (x + 1)^2 (x^2 - x + 1)

##### Full Member

$$\;$$
I know the sum.and difference of cubes. I asked about factoring completely. I wanted to know if my work is correct.

#### JeffM

##### Elite Member
Factor completely.

x^4 + x^3 + x + 1

x^3(x + 1) + (x + 1)

(x^3 + 1)(x + 1)

The binomial term (x^3 + 1) is the sum of cubes, right?
I have no clue what this question even means.

Any polynomial of degree 2k with real coefficients can be factored into k quadratics with real coefficients by the fundamental theorem of algebra, but that theorem does not tell you how to find such quadratics. It merely says that they exist. Moreover, such a factoring may well not be unique. Additionally, by that same fundamental theorem of algebra, such a polynomial can be factored uniquely (except for order) into 2k linear terms with complex coefficients. Consequently, the question as given makes no sense at all.

As you have recognized, there is a factor that is a sum of cubes with real coefficients, which can be factored into a linear term and a quadratic term, each with real coefficients. So the desired answer could be the product of two quadratics, each with real coefficients, or the product of one quadratic and two linear terms, all with real coefficients, or the product of four linear terms, perhaps some with complex coefficients. Which of those does "fully" mean?

##### Full Member
I have no clue what this question even means.

Any polynomial of degree 2k with real coefficients can be factored into k quadratics with real coefficients by the fundamental theorem of algebra, but that theorem does not tell you how to find such quadratics. It merely says that they exist. Moreover, such a factoring may well not be unique. Additionally, by that same fundamental theorem of algebra, such a polynomial can be factored uniquely (except for order) into 2k linear terms with complex coefficients. Consequently, the question as given makes no sense at all.

As you have recognized, there is a factor that is a sum of cubes with real coefficients, which can be factored into a linear term and a quadratic term, each with real coefficients. So the desired answer could be the product of two quadratics, each with real coefficients, or the product of one quadratic and two linear terms, all with real coefficients, or the product of four linear terms, perhaps some with complex coefficients. Which of those does "fully" mean?
The question is not my own. It is a Sullivan textbook review section question. The goal of the question is to find the LOWEST COMMON MULTIPLE. It is taking a middle school concept to another level.

#### Dr.Peterson

##### Elite Member
Well, no; this thread is about a question that says to "factor completely", not to find the lowest common multiple. I'm not sure why you referred to LCM in post #5. I suspect that is a sort of cross-contamination from other threads. You meant "x^4 + x^3 + x + 1 = ...".

Factoring completely, in this context, presumably means to factor into factors of the lowest possible degree over the integers (or possibly over the reals or the complex numbers; the context is needed to be sure). You correctly did this: (x + 1)^2 (x^2 - x + 1).

##### Full Member
Well, no; this thread is about a question that says to "factor completely", not to find the lowest common multiple. I'm not sure why you referred to LCM in post #5. I suspect that is a sort of cross-contamination from other threads. You meant "x^4 + x^3 + x + 1 = ...".

Factoring completely, in this context, presumably means to factor into factors of the lowest possible degree over the integers (or possibly over the reals or the complex numbers; the context is needed to be sure). You correctly did this: (x + 1)^2 (x^2 - x + 1).
Dr. Peterson,

Another typo at my end.

##### Full Member
My work is correctly done. Ok. Moving on.

#### Otis

##### Senior Member

You specifically asked whether x^3+1 is a sum of cubes.

... (x^3 + 1) is the sum of cubes, right?

##### Full Member

You specifically asked whether x^3+1 is a sum of cubes.