# Factoring help

• November 10th 2012, 08:26 PM
gfbrd
Factoring help
Hey I need some help with this problem

Factor the polynomial x^8-98x^4+1 into two non-constant polynomials with
integral coefficients.

I want to see steps on how to do this problem thanks.
• November 10th 2012, 08:40 PM
Prove It
Re: Factoring help
Start by letting $\displaystyle X = x^4$, then the equation becomes \displaystyle \begin{align*} X^2 - 98X + 1 \end{align*}. This doesn't factorise over the integers, but does factorise over the real numbers by completing the square.
• November 10th 2012, 09:42 PM
gfbrd
Re: Factoring help
I completed the square and got
(x-49)^2 +2400
what do I do next?
• November 10th 2012, 09:43 PM
Prove It
Re: Factoring help
That can't possibly be right - expand it out and check...
• November 10th 2012, 09:58 PM
gfbrd
Re: Factoring help
sorry it should be -2400
(x-49)^2 - 2400 = (x-49)(x-49) - 2400 = x^2 -49x - 49x + 2401 -2400 = x^2 - 98x + 1
ok so when completing the square i get

(x-49)^2 - 2400
what do I do next?
• November 10th 2012, 10:01 PM
Prove It
Re: Factoring help
Write it as \displaystyle \begin{align*} (X - 49)^2 - \left( 20\sqrt{6} \right)^2 \end{align*} and then use the Difference of Two Squares rule to factorise it.
• November 10th 2012, 10:27 PM
gfbrd
Re: Factoring help
so it is ((x-49)^2 + (20sqrt(6))^2)((x-49)^2 - (20sqrt(6))^2))
what do I do from here?
• November 11th 2012, 08:58 AM
Soroban
Re: Factoring help
Hello, gfbrd!

This takes a little Imagination . . .

Quote:

Factor $x^8-98x^4+1$ into two non-constant polynomials with integral coefficients.

$\begin{array}{cc}\text{We are given:} & x^8 - 98x^4 + 1 \\ \text{Add/subtract } 100x^4\!: & x^8 - 98x^4 {\color{blue}+ 100x^4} + 1 {\color{blue}- 100x^4} \\ \text{And we have:} & x^8 + 2x^4 + 1 - 100x^4 \\ \text{Factor:} & (x^4 +1)^2 - (10x^2)^2 \\ \text{Factor:} & (x^4+1-10x^2)(x^4+1+10x^2) \\ \text{Therefore:} & (x^4 - 10x^2+1)(x^4+10x^2+1) \end{array}$
• November 11th 2012, 09:11 AM
gfbrd
Re: Factoring help
lol sorry my imagination isn't really as good as yours
thanks a lot soroban