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Factor 4x^2 + 49y^2 please.

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

(2x + 7yj)(2x - 7yj)

Explanation:

Both 4x^2 and 49y^2 are perfect squares, and

4x^2 + 49y^2 is the sum of two squares.

There is a formula for factoring the difference of two squares:

a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) (all real numbers here), but unless imaginary numbers are allowed, there's no formula for factoring the sum of two squares.

If imaginary numbers are allowed, then a^2 + b^2 factors into

(a + jb)(a - jb).

Following this pattern, 4x^2 + 49y^2 factors into (2x + 7yj)(2x - 7yj)

a^2 + b^2 = (a + b)(a

User Luis Sieira
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