(a+2)(a-2)(a^4+4a^2+16) =(a^2-4)(a^2+4)^2 =(a-2)(a+2)(a^2+4)^2 (x^2+2xy+y^2)(x^2-xy+y^2) =[(x+y)^2](x+y)(x-y) =(x-y)(x+y)^3