Question

Factor step by step:
x^2+1​

Answer 1

(x + i) (x - i)

Explanation:

The expression x^2 + 1 is a sum of squares, which means that it cannot be factored using real numbers. However, it can be factored using complex numbers.

To factor x^2 + 1, we can use the fact that i^2 = -1, where i is the imaginary unit.

We can rewrite x^2 + 1 as:

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

Now, we can use the difference of squares formula to factor x^2 - (-1):

x^2 - (-1) = (x + i)(x - i)

Therefore, the factored form of x^2 + 1 is:

(x + i)(x - i)