<s>[INST] How to factor $8xy^3+8x^2-8x^3y-8y^2$ How can I factor $8xy^3+8x^2-8x^3y-8y^2$ or the different form $2x(4y^3+4x)-2y(4x^3+4y)$
Is there any general methods that work?
A possible solution should be $8(x^2-y^2)(1-xy)$ But please do not start from here as in the general case I will not know the answer...
Thanks!
Alexander
 [/INST] First take out $8$ as factor
$8xy^3+8x^2-8x^3y-8y^2=8(xy^3-y^2+x^2-x^3y)$
Now,
$xy^3-y^2+x^2-x^3y=y^2(xy-1)-x^2(xy-1)=(xy-1)(y^2-x^2)=(xy-1)(y+x)(y-x)$
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