How do you factor a4 - b4 completely?

Answer 1

To factor a^4 - b^4 completely, you can use the formula for the difference of squares, which states that a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b). In this case, a^4 - b^4 is a difference of squares twice: (a^2)^2 - (b^2)^2. So, you can factor it as (a^2 + b^2)(a^2 - b^2). Then, factor a^2 - b^2 further using the difference of squares formula to get (a^2 + b^2)(a + b)(a - b), which is the complete factorization of a^4 - b^4.

Answer 2

(a - b)(a + b)(a^2 + b^2)