factor .. . .. . . .

Question

Factor: 8a^2+16b^2

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Answer 1

8(a^2 + 2b^2)

that's about all you can factor, if you want rational coefficients

otherwise you might do this

8(a+sqr2bi)(a-sqr2bi) but that's irrational coefficents plus imaginary factors

still it might impress some math instructors. a^2-b^2 factors into (a+b)(a-b)

a^2 + b^2 doesn't really factor in the normal sense.