Question
why can't a^2 + b^2 be factored? I seriously don't know how this works out and my text book is no help. Please help.
Answers
Katy
the terms a and b are being added.
Since they are being added, and aren't the same variables, they cannot be factored.
Since they are being added, and aren't the same variables, they cannot be factored.
drwls
The factors are (a + ib)(a - ib), where i is the square root of -1, an imaginary number.
The factors are not "real" numbers.
The factors are not "real" numbers.