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aloeverahe · Feb 18, 2009, 06:20 AM

An Algebraic Question that I am stuck on:
Factorise $p^{4}+q^{4}$
:(
This question confuses me and I can't find a way to do it, wonder if anyone else can do it
Please help
Thank you

galactus · Feb 18, 2009, 06:49 AM

Are you sure that is not a minus instead of a plus? As it is, it does not factor nicely.

But, we can do this.

$(p^{2}+\sqrt{2}pq+q^{2})(p^{2}-\sqrt{2}pq+q^{2})$

aloeverahe · Feb 18, 2009, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by galactus

Are you sure that is not a minus instead of a plus?.

Unfortunately, yes. The question is clearly written as:

Factorise $p^{4}+q^{4}.$ (3 marks)

If it was a minus sign, I would have known how to do it also :)
But unfortunately, it's a plus and i have no idea how to calculate the answer...

galactus · Feb 18, 2009, 06:56 AM

Take a look at what I gave you. That is it.

Expand it out ans check for yourself.