Solve h^4-256

$$h ^ { 4 } - 256$$

Factor

$$\left(h-4\right)\left(h+4\right)\left(h^{2}+16\right)$$

Solution Steps

Rewrite h^{4}-256 as \left(h^{2}\right)^{2}-16^{2}. The difference of squares can be factored using the rule: a^{2}-b^{2}=\left(a-b\right)\left(a+b\right).

$$\left(h^{2}-16\right)\left(h^{2}+16\right)$$

Consider h^{2}-16. Rewrite h^{2}-16 as h^{2}-4^{2}. The difference of squares can be factored using the rule: a^{2}-b^{2}=\left(a-b\right)\left(a+b\right).

$$\left(h-4\right)\left(h+4\right)$$

Rewrite the complete factored expression. Polynomial h^{2}+16 is not factored since it does not have any rational roots.

$$\left(h-4\right)\left(h+4\right)\left(h^{2}+16\right)$$

Evaluate

$$h^{4}-256$$