MHB Factor Fourth Degree Expression

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To factor the expression x^4 + 2x^2y^2 + y^4, it is helpful to rewrite x^4 as (x^2)^2 and y^4 as (y^2)^2. By substituting u = x^2 and v = y^2, the expression transforms into (u)^2 + 2uv + (v)^2. This form resembles the square of a binomial, specifically (a+b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2. Therefore, the expression can be factored as (x^2 + y^2)^2.
mathdad
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Factor.

x^4 + 2x^2*y^2 + y^4

Must I change x^4 to (x^2)^2 and y^4 to (y^2)^2?

Let u = x^2

Let v = y^2

(u)^2 + 2uv + (v)^2

Where do I go from here?
 
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Yes, that's a great start...next, observe that that form is the square of a binomial:

$$(a+b)^2=a^2+2ab+b^2$$
 
Great. I can surely finish now.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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