Need Factoring Help!

[rfbrenner]

Can anyone help my 10th grader understand how to do this problem:

Factor x^(4n) + 2x^(2n) - 3

Thanks!

Rick Brenner

 

[pka]

Can anyone help my 10th grader understand how to do this problem:
Factor x^(4n) + 2x^(2n) - 3

\(\displaystyle (x^{2n}+3)(x^n-1)(x^n+1)\)

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Can anyone help my 10th grader understand how to do this problem:

Factor x^(4n) + 2x^(2n) - 3

Thanks!

Rick Brenner

assume

u = x²ⁿ

Then your function becomes

u² + 2u - 3

A simple quadratic polynomial. Factorize and back substitute for u. You may have to factorize further - depending on the factors.

 

[rfbrenner]

Thank you!

Thank you both very much