Factorize #x^2+6xy+81y^2=# ?

2 Answers
Nov 16, 2016

#x^2+6xy+81y^2 = (x+(3-6sqrt(2)i)y)(x+(3+6sqrt(2)i)y)#

Explanation:

The task of factoring #x^2+6xy+81y^2# is very similar to that of factoring #x^2+6x+81#.

Putting #a=1#, #b=6# and #c=81#, we find that the discriminant #Delta# is negative:

#Delta = b^2-4ac = 6^2-4(1)(81) = 36 - 324 = -288#

Since #Delta < 0# this quadratic has no factors with Real coefficients. We can factor it using Complex coefficients, for example by completing the square...

#x^2+6xy+81y^2 = x^2+6xy+9y^2+72y^2#

#color(white)(x^2+6xy+81y^2) = x^2+2x(3y)+(3y)^2+(6sqrt(2)y)^2#

#color(white)(x^2+6xy+81y^2) = (x+3y)^2-(6sqrt(2)iy)^2#

#color(white)(x^2+6xy+81y^2) = ((x+3y)-6sqrt(2)iy)((x+3y)+6sqrt(2)iy)#

#color(white)(x^2+6xy+81y^2) = (x+(3-6sqrt(2)i)y)(x+(3+6sqrt(2)i)y)#

Nov 16, 2016

No real first degree factorization is possible.

Explanation:

Considering the possibility of

#x^2+6xy+81y^2=(ax+by)(cx+dy)#

If #x^2+6xy+81y^2=0#

would be equivalent to

#(ax+by)(cx+dy)=0# but if we solve

#x^2+6xy+81y^2=0# then

#x = (-3 pm 6 i sqrt[2]) y#

which means that the only solution to #x^2+6xy+81y^2=0# is #x =0, y=0#. So no real factorization for #x^2+6xy+81y^2# of first degree is possible.