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Thread: Factoring

  1. December 7th 2010, 12:57 PM #1
    PxEckx
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    Question Factoring

    Hello!

    How can I solve it?

    (a^4 + a^2 + 1)
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  2. December 7th 2010, 01:06 PM #2
    e^(i*pi)
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    Let u = a^2 so a^4+a^2+1 = u^2+u+1

    If it can be factorised the discriminant will be a square number: \Delta = b^2-4ac = 1^2- 4 \times 1 \times 1 = 1-4 = -3. Since the discriminant is not a square number it cannot be factorised. In addition you will have complex solutions.

    Use the quadratic formula to find u and then find a using the fact that a = \pm \sqrt{u}
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