Solving Simple Factoring Problems: Tips and Tricks

[msimard8]

Hello, I am having a few minor factoring problems. Answers are not matching the answer book. I will show you what I have done


=p^2 - 2p +1 - y^2 -2yz - z^2

=(p-1)^2 (-y-z)(y+z)

(the answer book states (p-1+y+z)(p-1-y-z))

I don't know how the got that



next

x^2 +2 +(1/x^2)

=x^4 + 2x^2 +1
=(x^2+1)^2


answer says (x+1/x)^2

help please

 

[0rthodontist]

Hello, I am having a few minor factoring problems. Answers are not matching the answer book. I will show you what I have done


=p^2 - 2p +1 - y^2 -2yz - z^2

=(p-1)^2 (-y-z)(y+z)

If you want to be correct, always multiply it out or substitute something into see if you're right or not.

(the answer book states (p-1+y+z)(p-1-y-z))

You already know how to factor the first three terms into a squared term involving p. Can you do something similar with the last three terms?

next

x^2 +2 +(1/x^2)

=x^4 + 2x^2 +1

Not true--plug in some values to check. However, what IS true, is
x^2 +2 +(1/x^2) = (x^4 + 2x^2 +1)/(x^2)

=(x^2+1)^2


answer says (x+1/x)^2

help please

 

[msimard8]

thanks for the help on the first one

for the second one i got to

[(x^2+1) (x^2+1)]/x^2

how does that get to

(x+1/x)^2

 

[0rthodontist]

((x^2+1)/x)^2