Exercise 2.

Factor the polynomial tex2html_wrap_inline24 completely (a) over the real numbers, (b) over the complex numbers.

Answer.

We can first pull out an x term:

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The polynomial tex2html_wrap_inline34 has the roots tex2html_wrap_inline36 by the quadratic formula. It is thus irreducible over the real numbers. Consequently, over the real numbers, the polynomial factors completely as

displaymath27

over the complex numbers, the polynomial factors completely into

displaymath28

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