How do you factor $x^2 y^2 - 9x^2 y^4$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2015-05-22T19:42:09

$x^2y^2-9x^2y^4=x^2y^2(1+3y)(1-3y)$

Problem: Factor $x^2y^2-9x^2y^4$ .

Both terms have $x^2y^2$ in common. Factor out the GCF $x^2y^2$ .

$x^2y^2(1-9y^2)$

$(1-9y^2)$ fits the pattern of the difference of squares:

$(a-b)^2=(a+b)(a-b)$ .

$a=1$
$b=3y$

$x^2y^2(1-9y^2)=x^2y^2(1+3y)(1-3y)$

How do you factor x^2 y^2 - 9x^2 y^4x^2 y^2 - 9x^2 y^4?