Quick help w/ College Algebra (Factoring)

[JohnCU]

How do you factor: k^6x - k^2x

is it something like (k^x)^6 - (k^x)^2 ?

 

[XZeroII]

factor out the x so it's x(k^6-k^2), then you can reduce the k^6-k^2.

 

[Mday]

assuming you meant k^(6x) - k^(2x)

k^(2x) * (k^(4x) - 1), factor the k^(2x) out
k^(2x) * (k^(2x) - 1) * (k^(2x) + 1), difference of 2 perfect squares
k^(2x) * (k^x - 1) *(k^x + 1) * (k^(2x) + 1), difference of 2 perfect square

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HOW THE HELL IS THIS COLLEGE ALGEBRA, I DID THIS SH!T IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! freshman year too

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Dismal
How do you factor: k^6x - k^2x

is it something like (k^x)^6 - (k^x)^2 ?

Right idea but k^6x is a perfect square ( (k^3x)^2 ) same with k^2x)

(k^3x + k^x) ( k^3x - k^x)

when multiplying exponents you add.
edit: when i say add, i mean add the exponents. the bases stay the same

 

[JohnCU]

awesome, thanks guys! (this is college algebra 104, lowest prep class to Calculus )

 

[Viper GTS]

Just an FYI, if you have a TI-89/92 they can do this.

factor(expression)

Very convenient on tests when you don't want to waste the time doing it yourself.

Viper GTS