Factor this polynomial: x^2n - 4x^n - 5?

Question

The 2n and n is being raised as a power.

Answer 1

let x^n be u
u^2-4u-5=0
(u-5)(u+1)=0
u=5 0r 1
if u=5 x^n=5 and x=5^(1/n)
if u=1 x^n=1 and x= 1

Answer 2

x^2n - 4x^n - 5

Don't be confused by the n in the exponent

note that (x^n)^2 = x^nx^n = x^(n + n) = x^2n

You could set x^n = z

z^2 - 4z - 5

(z - 5)(z + 1)

(x^n - 5)(x^n + 1)

Answer 3

Let y = x^n. Then you have:

y^2 - 4y - 5 = (y - 5)(y + 1) = (x^n - 5)(x^n + 1)

Answer 4

x^2n-4x^n-5

(x^n-5)(x^n+1)-final answer