How do you factor $n^4 - 1$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-17T18:36:01

$(n-1)(n+1)(n^2+1)$

By using this formula $a^2-b^2 = (a-b)(a+b)$

here we have $a = n^2$ and $b = 1$

$(n^2)^2 - 1$ (remember $(a^n)^m = a^(nm)$ )

$(n^2-1)(n^2+1)$

You do it again with $(n^2-1)(n^2+1)$ and you have your answer

How do you factor n^4 - 1n^4 - 1?