Chapter 0: Problem 110
$$\text { Factor completely.}$$ $$x^{4}-10 x^{2} y^{2}+9 y^{4}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The factorized form of the given expression is \((x - 3y)^2(x + 3y)^2\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the terms
The given expression can be written in the form of \(a^2 - 2ab + b^2\) where \(a = x^2\), \(b = y^2\), and \(2ab = 10x^2y^2\). So the expression becomes: \(a^2 - 2ab + b^2\)
02
Apply the formula for a perfect square trinomial
The formula for a perfect square trinomial is \(a^2 - 2ab + b^2 = (a - b)^2\). If we substitute a = x^2 and b = y^2 into this formula, the expression \(x^4 - 10x^2y^2 + 9y^4\) becomes \((x^2 - y^2)^2\)
03
Factorize the perfect square
The inner difference of squares further factorizes into \((x - 3y)(x + 3y)\). The fully factorized form of the expression is thus: \((x - 3y)^2(x + 3y)^2\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Perfect Square Trinomial
A perfect square trinomial is a special type of polynomial that can be expressed in the form \(a^2 \pm 2ab + b^2\). This structure makes factoring particularly straightforward. When you recognize a polynomial as a perfect square trinomial, you can simplify it using the formula \((a \pm b)^2\). Let's break it down:
- Identify the squares: Ensure that the first and last terms are perfect squares. In our expression \(x^4 - 10x^2y^2 + 9y^4\), \(x^4\) is \((x^2)^2\) and \(9y^4\) is \((3y^2)^2\).
- Check the middle term: It should be twice the product of the square roots of the first and last terms. Here, \(2ab = 10x^2y^2\), fitting the form of \(-2(x^2)(3y^2)\).
Difference of Squares
The difference of squares is a classic algebraic identity that allows further simplification of polynomial expressions. The formula is \(a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b)\). It requires two terms, both perfect squares, separated by a subtraction sign:
- The term \((x^2 - y^2)\) from our expression is an example of a difference of squares, where \(a = x\) and \(b = 3y\).
- Applying the difference of squares formula to \((x^2 - y^2)\), we factor it as \((x - 3y)(x + 3y)\).
Polynomial Factorization
Polynomial factorization involves breaking down a complex polynomial into simpler, non-divisible factors. This process is akin to finding the numbers that, when multiplied together, reproduce the original number, but applied to expressions:
- It helps in simplifying expressions, solving equations, and understanding polynomial identities.
- Given an example like \(x^4 - 10x^2y^2 + 9y^4\), factorization requires several steps. First, identify if it's a special pattern like the perfect square trinomial or the difference of squares.
- After recognizing the special pattern, apply relevant identities to break it down further. Here, we express it as \((x^2 - 3y^2)^2\), and then utilize the difference of squares to factor each component into \((x - 3y)^2(x + 3y)^2\).