To determine if \( 2^{2k} - 1 \) is prime using a polynomial identity, we can use the identity:
\[ a^2 - b^2 = (a - b)(a + b) \]
In our case, we can let \( a = 2^k \) and \( b = 1 \). Therefore:
\[ 2^{2k} - 1 = (2^k - 1)(2^k + 1) \]
This shows that \( 2^{2k} - 1 \) can be factored into two non-trivial factors: \( (2^k - 1) \) and \( (2^k + 1) \). For \( k \geq 1 \), both factors are greater than 1, which means \( 2^{2k} - 1 \) is not prime.
Based on the provided responses, the correct response is:
\[ 2^{2k} - 1 = (2^k + 1)(2^k - 1), \text{ so } 2^{2k} - 1 \text{ is not prime.} \]
Therefore, the correct option is:
\[ 2^{2k} - 1 = (2^k + 1)(2^k - 1), \text{ so } 2^{2k} - 1 \text{ is not prime.} \]