sum of squares

teddy7

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Aug 9, 2013
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The question I'm trying to solve is:
Factor a sum of squares, x2 + a2. What do you conclude?

I found this: Sum of squares: a[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] + b[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] = (a – bi)(a + bi) Note: a[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] + b[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] does not factor using real numbers.


So I just have no idea how to show my work for this question, if anyone could help me out that would be great! Thanks :)
 
The question I'm trying to solve is:
Factor a sum of squares, x2 + a2. What do you conclude?
If you're working within a context which does not have complex numbers, then I have no idea what they're wanting. If you are, then all one can "conclude", I suppose, is that one needs complex numbers for factoring sums of squares.

But I really don't know what they're expecting. The question is much too vague. :(
 
Maybe

The question I'm trying to solve is:
Factor a sum of squares, x2 + a2. What do you conclude?

I found this: Sum of squares: a[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] + b[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] = (a – bi)(a + bi) Note: a[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] + b[SIZE=-1]2[/SIZE] does not factor using real numbers.


So I just have no idea how to show my work for this question, if anyone could help me out that would be great! Thanks :)
quad.jpg
Please double click on the image and then double click again to enlarge.
 
Just thinking aloud.
x^2+ y^2 is a quadratic polynomial.


The big gun is quad formula
x^2+ y^2 = 0
a=1
b=0
c=y^2

Roots: (+yi, -yi)
so x^2+ y^2 = (x+yi)(x-yi)
 
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