To factor the polynomial \( 13x^{11} - 117x^3 \), we first look for a common factor.
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Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF): The common factor between the two terms is \( 13x^3 \): \[ 13x^{11} - 117x^3 = 13x^3(x^8 - 9) \]
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Now, we need to factor \( x^8 - 9 \): Notice that \( 9 \) can be written as \( 3^2 \), so we can recognize this as a difference of squares: \[ x^8 - 9 = (x^4)^2 - (3)^2 = (x^4 - 3)(x^4 + 3) \]
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Putting it all together: We have factored the original polynomial as follows: \[ 13x^{11} - 117x^3 = 13x^3(x^4 - 3)(x^4 + 3) \]
Thus, the completely factored form of the polynomial is: \[ \boxed{13x^3(x^4 - 3)(x^4 + 3)} \]