Question

How do you factor an expression to the 4 exponent.

Answer 1

Answer: How do you factor variables with exponents? To do this, take the greatest common factor of the numbers and the smallest exponent of each variable. 2. Divide the original expression by the greatest common factor. To do this, divide the coefficients, and subtract the exponents of the variables.

Explanation: Expressions with fractional or negative exponents can be factored by pulling out a GCF. Look for the variable or exponent that is common to each term of the expression and pull out that variable or exponent raised to the lowest power. These expressions follow the same factoring rules as those with integer exponents.

Answer 2

We can factor a difference of fourth powers (and higher powers) by treating each term as the square of another base, using the power to a power rule. For example, to factor x4 - y4, we treat x4 as (x2)2 and y4 as (y2)2. Thus, x4 - y4 = (x2)2 - (y2)2 = (x2 + y2)(x2 - y2) = (x2 + y2)(x + y)(x - y).