last samurai is correct. Explanation x^4+x^2+1= x^4+2x^2+1-x^2= (add and subtract x^2) (x^2+1)^2-x^2= ((a+^2=a^2+2ab+b^2) (x^2+x+1)(x^2-x+1) (a^2-b^2=(a+(a-) In case anyone wants to know how to do my other one, For a polynomial to have real coeficcients and still have complex roots, each complex root must be paired with its conjugate. So, if two roots are -4+3i and 9+4i, the other two must be -4-3i and 9-4i. In any polynomial in the form, ax^n+bx^(n-1)+cx^(n-2)+dx^(n-3)+ex^(n-4)... -b/a is always the sum of the roots of the equation. So, -a/1=-a= (-4+3i)+(9+4i)+(-4-3i)+(9-4i)=10 So, a = -10