How do you expand or factor a^n - 1?

Context: High School
Thread starter crazyformath2
Start date Mar 24, 2009
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3 replies · 2K views

crazyformath2

Thread starter
Mar 24, 2009

Can someone help me.

How would you expand or factor out aⁿ-1

Is there a theorem for this?

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Drake13

Mar 24, 2009

is it a^(n-1) or (a^n)-1?

crazyformath2

Mar 25, 2009

(a^n)-1

HallsofIvy

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Mar 25, 2009

It's a pretty well known formula:

[tex]a^n- 1= (a-1)(a^{n-1}+ a^{n-2}+ \cdot\cdot\cdot+ a^2+ a+ 1)[/tex]

How do you expand or factor a^n - 1?

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How do you expand or factor a^n - 1?

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