How do I factor the followinig polynomial? $$x^6-14x^4+49x^2$$ I can't find a way to get this to work. The previous problems were all over either a difference of squares or sum/difference of cubes, but this one is different, it has three terms and cannot be grouped and split as a four termed one could be. I tried to get it down to what a 3 term quadratic is, but simply cant work it out. Factored it to $x^2(x-7)(x-7)$. The middle term, $14x^2$ does not work out when it is foiled.
How do I factor this polynomial?
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algebra-precalculus
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1If you had factored out the $x^2$ to begin with... – 2011-04-20
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0First factor out $x^2$. The other factor is a perfect square, a quadratic in the variable $x^2$ – 2011-04-20
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0Please include all the information in the body of your posts; don't rely on the title, which is meant to be more an indexing feature and informational than an intrinsic part of your post. Thank you. – 2011-04-20