a) \(x^{16}-1=\left(x^8\right)^2-1^2=\left(x^8-1\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)
\(=\left(\left(x^4\right)^2-1^2\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)
\(=\left(x^4-1\right).\left(x^4+1\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)
\(=\left(\left(x^2\right)^2-1^2\right).\left(x^4+1\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)
\(=\left(x^2-1\right).\left(x^2+1\right).\left(x^4+1\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)
\(=\left(x-1\right).\left(x+1\right).\left(x^2+1\right).\left(x^4+1\right).\left(x^8+1\right)\)