Factor the trinomial $x ^ { 2 n } - 5 x ^ { n } - 36$ . (Assume that n represents a positive integer.)
A) $\left( x ^ { n } - 9 \right) \left( x ^ { n } - 4 \right)$
B) $\left( x ^ { 2 n } - 9 \right) \left( x ^ { 2 n } + 4 \right)$
C) $\left( x ^ { n } - 9 \right) \left( x ^ { n } + 4 \right)$
D) $\left( x ^ { 2 n } + 9 \right) \left( x ^ { 2 n } - 4 \right)$
E) $\left( x ^ { n } + 9 \right) \left( x ^ { n } - 4 \right)$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The trinomial can be factored by looking for two numbers that multiply to -36 and add to -5. Those numbers are -9 and +4. Therefore, the factored form is $(x^n - 9)(x^n + 4)$.

Factor the Trinomial x2n−5xn−36x ^ { 2 n } - 5 x ^ { n } - 36x2n−5xn−36

Factor the Trinomial $x ^ { 2 n } - 5 x ^ { n } - 36$