mlowery
My teacher assigned us this problem (it is for extra credit, but I'll take what I can get):
$$P = a(b^4-c^4)+b(a^4-c^4)+c(a^4-b^4)$$

My work:
1. $$P = a( (b^2)^2 - (c^2)^2 )+b( (a^2)^2 - (c^2)^2 ) + c( (a^2)^2 - (b^2)^2 )$$

2. $$P = a[ (b^2+c^2) (b+c) (b-c) ] + b[ (a^2+c^2) (a+c) (a-c) ] + c[ (a^2+b^2) (a+b) (a-b) ]$$

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$$P = a[ (b^2+c^2) (b+c) (b-c) ] + b[ (a^2+c^2) (a+c) (a-c) ] + c[ (a^2+b^2) (a+b) (a-b) ]$$

Can someone please double check my work. As far as I can see, that is the simplest form to which it can be factored.

Thanks,
Mitch

Homework Helper
If I wanted the answer to be "factored", I would think that it should be in the form of a product of sums. Factoring, that is, is the process of turning a sum of products into a product of sums.

Just looking at the problem, perhaps the teacher meant to write:

$$P = a(b^4-c^4)+b(c^4-a^4)+c(a^4-b^4)$$

This is a bit more symmetric, and reminds one of a classic SU(3) symmetry, which should give hints on how to factor it. For example, note that if a=b, then P=0, so (a-b) must be a factor.

If, on the other hand, the teacher meant what he wrote, then you should consider the effect of making the substitution b => -b'. In other words, (a+b) is a factor for the problem you've written.

Carl

Staff Emeritus