Question

How to factor this problem with negative exponents? -4x^-4-3x^-2+1=0

Please show all steps, thanks. tsj

Answer 1

`-4x^(-4)-3x^(-2)+1=0\\ -4x^(-4)-4x^(-2)+x^(-2)+1=0\\ -4x^(-2)(x^(-2)+1)+1(x^(-2)+1)=0\\ -(4x^(-2)-1)(x^(-2)+1)=0\\ 4x^(-2)-1 =0 \vee x^(-2)+1=0\\ 4x^(-2) =1 \vee x^(-2)=-1\\ x^(-2)=(1)/(4) \vee (1)/(x^2)=-1\\ (1)/(x^2)=(1)/(4)\\ x=-2 \vee x=2`