Question

How do you factor `2x^4y^2-32`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, factor out a common term from each term in the expression:

`(2 xx x^4y^2) - (2 xx 16) => 2(x^4y^2 - 16)`

Now, use this rule for quadratics to factor the term on the right:

`color(red)(x)^2 - color(blue)(y)^2 = (color(red)(x) + color(blue)(y))(color(red)(x) - color(blue)(y))`

`2(x^4y^2 - 16) => 2(x^2y - 4)(x^2y + 4)`