Please Help With Problem

Question

P^4 - 13p^2 + 40

please help with problem

Answer 1

(P^2-8)(P^2-5)

Most problems are Ax^2 + Bx + C, and you would follow general factoring rules, however since this is in the form Ax^4 + Bx^2 + C we can still follow the same rules. For us A = 1, B = -13, C = 40. You want to find factors of C (40) that add to equal B (-13).

The factors of 40 are, 5*2*2*2. We can see that -5 * -8 = 40 and also -5 -8 = -13