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Factor \(-16x^4+x^2+2x+1\) into two quadratic polynomials with integer coefficients. Submit your answer in the form \((ax^2+bx+c)(dx^2+ex+f)\), with  a>d.

 Dec 29, 2018
edited by mathtoo  Dec 29, 2018
 #1
avatar
+2

Factor the following:
-16 x^4 + x^2 + 2 x + 1

Factor -1 out of -16 x^4 + x^2 + 2 x + 1:
-(16 x^4 - x^2 - 2 x - 1)

 

The factors of 1 - 16 x^4 that sum to -2 are x (-4 x^2 - 1) and x (4 x^2 - 1). 
So, (16 x^4 - 1) - x^2 - 2 x = -x^2 + x (-4 x^2 - 1) + x (4 x^2 - 1) + (4 x^2 - 1) (4 x^2 + 1):
-(-x^2 + x (-4 x^2 - 1) + x (4 x^2 - 1) + (4 x^2 - 1) (4 x^2 + 1))

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

 

Factor 4 x^2 - x - 1 out of x (4 x^2 - x - 1) + (4 x^2 + 1) (4 x^2 - x - 1), resulting in (4 x^2 - x - 1) ((4 x^2 + 1) + x):

 -(4 x^2 - x - 1) (4 x^2 + x + 1)

 Dec 29, 2018
 #2
avatar+816 
+1

That is correct! Now, try to solve it when a>d.

mathtoo  Dec 29, 2018
 #3
avatar+1253 
-1

If you apply the negative sign to the parentheses, -4x^2 is less than 4x^2, right?

So a

CoolStuffYT  Dec 29, 2018
 #4
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+2

How about saying thank you Mathtoo ...    wink

Melody  Dec 29, 2018
 #7
avatar+816 
0

Thank you!

mathtoo  Dec 29, 2018
 #5
avatar+128053 
+2

-16x^4 + x^2 + 2x + 1       =

 

x^2 + 2x + 1 - 16x^4    =

 

(x + 1)^2 - 16x^4   =

 

[ (x + 1) + 4x^2] [ (x + 1) - 4x^2 ] =

 

[  4x^2 + x + 1 ]    [ -4x^2 + x + 1 ]

 

And   a > d

 

 

cool cool cool

 Dec 29, 2018
edited by CPhill  Dec 29, 2018
 #6
avatar+816 
+1

Thank you, everyone! smiley

 Dec 29, 2018

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