If (x + 1)(x + p)(x^2 + p^2) = x^4 - 1, then what is the value of p?

Explanation

We know the identity x^4 - 1 = (x^2 - 1)(x^2 + 1) = (x + 1)(x - 1)(x^2 + 1). Comparing this with (x + 1)(x + p)(x^2 + p^2), we can clearly see that p = -1.

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