# Math Help - Factoring and simplifying an expression

1. ## Factoring and simplifying an expression

Hi, the problem is to factor and simplify the expression

$(x^2-4)(x^2+3)^{1/2} - (x^2-4)^2(x^2+3)^{3/2}$

I can factor the left side but the right leaves me stuck.

I tried multiplying both terms in the right and got $(x^4-8x^2+16) \sqrt{x^6+9x^4+27x^2+27}$
but I feel like I am going the wrong way and don't think it should be this complicated.

The answer in the back of the book is $(x+2)(x-2)(x^2+3)^{1/2}(-x^4 +x^2 +13)$
I don't know where the final term came from.

Thank you.

2. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

Originally Posted by Foxlion
Hi, the problem is to factor and simplify the expression

$(x^2-4)(x^2+3)^{1/2} - (x^2-4)^2(x^2+3)^{3/2}$

I can factor the left side but the right leaves me stuck.

I tried multiplying both terms in the right and got $(x^4-8x^2+16) \sqrt{x^6+9x^4+27x^2+27}$
but I feel like I am going the wrong way and don't think it should be this complicated.

The answer in the back of the book is $(x+2)(x-2)(x^2+3)^{1/2}(-x^4 +x^2 +13)$
I don't know where the final term came from. Thank you.
$(x^2 - 4)(x^2 + 3)^{\frac{1}{2}}[1 - (x^2 - 4)(x^2 + 3)]$

$(x + 2)(x - 2) \sqrt{x^2 + 3} \ [1 - x^4 - 3x^2 + 4x^2 + 12]$

Now just combine alike terms in the brackets.

3. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

where does the 1 come from?

4. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

Originally Posted by Foxlion
where does the 1 come from?
$[{\color{blue}1} - (x^2 - 4)(x^2 + 3)]=[{\color{blue}1} - (x^4-x^2-12)]$

5. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

Hello, Foxlion!

$\text{Factor and simplify: }\:(x^2-4)(x^2+3)^{\frac{1}{2}} - (x^2-4)^2(x^2+3)^{\frac{3}{2}}$

$\text{Book answer: }\:(x+2)(x-2)(x^2+3)^{\frac{1}{2}}(-x^4 +x^2 +13)$

$\text{If you had: }\,ab^{\frac{1}{2}} - a^2b^{\frac{3}{2}},\:\text{ can you see that:}$
. . $\text{both terms have a factor of }a,$
. . $\text{both terms have a factor of }b^{\frac{1}{2}}\,?$

$\text{Factor out }ab^{\frac{1}{2}},\:\text{ and we have: }\:ab^{\frac{1}{2}}(1 - ab)$

If you can't follow that, you need more help than we can provide.

6. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

no I get that, but how does

$(x^2-4)^2(x^2+3)^{3/2}$

become $1-(x^2-4)(x^2+3)$ ?

7. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

yeah I see that, thank you.

8. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

Hello again, Foxlion!

$\text{Factor and simplify: }\:(x^2-4)(x^2+3)^{\frac{1}{2}} - (x^2-4)^2(x^2+3)^{\frac{3}{2}}$

Okay, you understand this: . $ab^{\frac{1}{2}} - a^2b^{\frac{3}{2}} \:=\:ab^{\frac{1}{2}}(1 - ab)$ .[1]

The given problem is a messier version of this equation.
. . They used $(x^2-4)$ instead of $a$
. . and used $(x^2+3)$ instead of $b.$

Substitute those expression into [1].

Got it?

9. ## Re: Factoring and simplifying an expression

Originally Posted by soroban
hello again, foxlion!

okay, you understand this: . $ab^{\frac{1}{2}} - a^2b^{\frac{3}{2}} \:=\:ab^{\frac{1}{2}}(1 - ab)$ .[1]

the given problem is a messier version of this equation.
. . they used $(x^2-4)$ instead of $a$
. . and used $(x^2+3)$ instead of $b.$

substitute those expression into [1].

Got it?

got it