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Factoring problem

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg35499] Factoring problem
• From: "Steven Hodgen" <shodgen at mindspring.com>
• Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 04:50:12 -0400 (EDT)
• Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

Hello,

I've decided to see if any of you can factor this eq. since it's not
possible to have Mathematica show intermediate steps when factoring.  This
is a problem from my precalc book, and the instructor of the class hasn't
been able to get to the final answer either.  I've tried and tried using
grouping in various ways, as well as other techniques.

I'd appreciate it if anyone can figure this out, since I just can't get over
this problem.

Original problem:
    y^4 - (p + q)*y^3 + (p^2*q + p*q^2)*y - p^2*q^2
Answer in book:
    (y^2 - p*q)*(y - p)*(y - q)

Thanks!

--Steven

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Factoring problem
    • From: Adriano Pascoletti <pascolet@dimi.uniud.it>