Solution to polynomial of unknown degree

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The discussion centers on whether it is possible to solve the polynomial equation y = Ax^a + Bx^b for the variable x, given that a and b are real numbers. It is noted that isolating x is generally not feasible unless the exponents are specific positive integers, particularly if they are both less than five. For lower degrees, such as quadratic equations, solutions can be easily found using the quadratic formula. The conversation also touches on advanced mathematical concepts like Newton-Puiseux's Theorem for deriving power series representations of solutions. Overall, while some cases allow for solutions, many scenarios present significant challenges.
Jhenrique
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Dear!

Is possible to solution a polynomial of kind y = Ax^a + Bx^b ?

Thx!
 
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You have sevens unknowns and one equation.

Could you solve 0 = a + b + c + d + e + f + g + h?
 
Jhenrique said:
Dear!

Is possible to solution a polynomial of kind y = Ax^a + Bx^b ?

Thx!
I assume you are asking if it is possible to find the zeroes of y(x) = Ax^a + Bx^b, where a,b are real numbers?
 
Jorriss said:
I assume you are asking if it is possible to find the zeroes of y(x) = Ax^a + Bx^b, where a,b are real numbers?

If it's a polynomial then a and b are natural.
 
Jhenrique said:
Dear!

Is possible to solution a polynomial of kind y = Ax^a + Bx^b ?

glappkaeft said:
You have sevens unknowns and one equation.
I count six: A, a, B, b, x, and y.
 
omg, my question is simple!

I would like to know if is possible to isolate the x variable in equation
f(x)=ax^{\alpha}+bx^{\beta}
 
Jhenrique said:
omg, my question is simple!

I would like to know if is possible to isolate the x variable in equation
f(x)=ax^{\alpha}+bx^{\beta}

In general, no. If \alpha and \beta are both less than 5, then yes. If they're both less than three, then it's a quadratic or simpler and hence easily done by the quadratic formula. In most other cases it's either difficult or impossible.
 
Yes, it's possible, and quite easy. Let us suppose that \alpha > \beta. Let \zeta = e^{2\pi i/(\alpha - \beta)} be a primitive root of unity. Then the polynomial factors as:
ax^\beta \prod_{k=1}^{\alpha - \beta} (x - \left( \frac{b}{a} \right)^{1/(\alpha - \beta)} \zeta^k)
 
In mathematics, as in other areas of science, just because a question is 'simple', it does not necessarily follow that the solution will be 'simple'.

For example, consider Fermat's Last Theorem:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermat's_Last_Theorem
 
  • #10
Citan Uzuki said:
Yes, it's possible, and quite easy. Let us suppose that \alpha > \beta. Let \zeta = e^{2\pi i/(\alpha - \beta)} be a primitive root of unity. Then the polynomial factors as:
ax^\beta \prod_{k=1}^{\alpha - \beta} (x - \left( \frac{b}{a} \right)^{1/(\alpha - \beta)} \zeta^k)

He's not looking to factor the polynomial but rather to find the inverse f^{-1}(x), I think...
 
  • #11
Mentallic said:
He's not looking to factor the polynomial but rather to find the inverse f^{-1}(x), I think...

Yeah!
 
  • #12
Jhenrique said:
omg, my question is simple!

I would like to know if is possible to isolate the x variable in equation
f(x)=ax^{\alpha}+bx^{\beta}

Yes if the exponents are positive integers. Consider the general algebraic function, ##y(x)## written implicitly as:

$$f(x,y)=a_1(x)+a_2(x)y+a_3(x)y^2+\cdots+a_n(x)y^n=0$$

with ##a_i(x)## polynomials. In your case we would simply have:

$$f(x,y)=x-ay^{\alpha}-by^{\beta}=0$$

Then by Newton-Puiseux's Theorem, we can compute power series representations of the various branches (solutions) of ##y(x)## having the form:

$$y_d(x)=\sum_{n=-p}^{\infty} c_n\left(x^{1/d}\right)^n$$

with radii of convergences extending at least to the nearest singular point of ##f(x,y)## and often further than that.

Do a search for "Newton Polygon" if you're interested in knowing how to compute these "Puiseux" series.
 
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