Sophie Germain Identity
The Sophie Germain Identity states that:
One can prove this identity simply by multiplying out the right side and verifying that it equals the left. To derive the factoring, first completing the square and then factor as a difference of squares:
\[\begin{align*}a^4 + 4b^4 & = a^4 + 4a^2b^2 + 4b^4 - 4a^2b^2 \\ & = (a^2 + 2b^2)^2 - (2ab)^2 \\ & = (a^2 + 2b^2 - 2ab) (a^2 + 2b^2 + 2ab)\end{align*}\]
Problems
Introductory
Intermediate
- Compute . (1987 AIME, #14)
- Find the largest prime divisor of . (Mock AIME 5 2005-2006 Problems/Pro)
- Calculate the value of . (BMO 2013 #1)