Question

How do you factor `np+2n+8p+16`?

Answer 1

`np+2n+8p+16 = (n+8)(p+2)`

Explanation:

Note that the ratio of the first and second terms is the same as that between the third and fourth terms.

So this quadrinomial will factor by grouping:

`np+2n+8p+16 = (np+2n)+(8p+16)`

`color(white)(np+2n+8p+16) = n(p+2)+8(p+2)`

`color(white)(np+2n+8p+16) = (n+8)(p+2)`