Algebra - Find Values of x: (x+6/x)^2-2(x-6/x)-35=0 Homework

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The equation (x+6/x)^2 - 2(x-6/x) - 35 = 0 can be solved by substituting y = x + 6/x, leading to the quadratic y^2 - 2y - 35 = 0. This factors to (y-7)(y+5)=0, giving y values of 7 and -5, which correspond to x values of 6, 1, -3, and -2. However, some participants noted that these solutions do not satisfy the original equation, indicating a potential error in the substitution method. An alternative approach involves expanding the equation and performing polynomial division, which can yield the correct factors and solutions. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the importance of verifying solutions against the original equation.
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Homework Statement
(x+6/x)^2-2(x-6/x)-35=0

Fine the values of x.


The attempt at a solution
Let y=x+6/x

y^2-2y-35=0
(y-7)(y+5)=0
y=7 or y=-5

Check:
x+6/x=7
x^2-7x+6=0
(x-6)(x-1)=0

and

x+6/x=7
x^2+5x=0
(x+3)(x+2)=0

Therefore, x=6 or x=1 or x=-3 or x=-2



Now, my teacher says there is another way to do it. He says by expanding it, the values of x can be found through algebra. I've the the way I know, but can someone tell me how to do this other way? Thank you.
 
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tornzaer said:
Homework Statement
(x+6/x)^2-2(x-6/x)-35=0

Fine the values of x.


The attempt at a solution
Let y=x+6/x

y^2-2y-35=0
(y-7)(y+5)=0
y=7 or y=-5

Check:
x+6/x=7
x^2-7x+6=0
(x-6)(x-1)=0

and

x+6/x=7
x^2+5x=0
(x+3)(x+2)=0

Therefore, x=6 or x=1 or x=-3 or x=-2



Now, my teacher says there is another way to do it. He says by expanding it, the values of x can be found through algebra. I've the the way I know, but can someone tell me how to do this other way? Thank you.
Expanding it just means carrying out the multiplication in the factored forms.
(x+6/x)^2-2(x-6/x)-35=0
x^2 + 12 + 36/x^2 -2x + 12/x - 35 = 0

You'll need to multiply both sides by x^2 to get rid of the x terms in the denominators, which means you'll end up with a 4th degree equation, which could be hard to factor. In this case, however, you already know the roots of the equation, so the factors will be (x - 6) and so on.
 
I tried to delete my first post - it didn't work. Sorry.

If the original equation truly is

<br /> \left(x + \frac 6 x \right)^2 - 2 \left(x - \frac 6 x \right) - 35 = 0<br />

then the given substitution will not solve it, as the two variable terms in are not identical.

Notice that none of 6, 1, -3, -2 actually solve the equation in the form given above.

the rest of my original post was wrong and has been deleted. I just played around with this in Sage (a very neat program, by the way, that runs on Linux and Mac OS 10). If both the terms of the original equation are x - \frac 6 x then the submitted method works.
 
Last edited:
If the original equation truly is

<br /> \left(x + \frac 6 x \right)^2 - 2 \left(x - \frac 6 x \right) - 35 = 0<br />

then the given substitution will not solve it, as the two variable terms in are not identical.

Notice that none of 6, 1, -3, -2 actually solve the equation in the form given above. I don't believe they solve it in the form that seems to be intended, and that is why the teacher gave the hint about there being another method of solution.
 
Guys, I figured it out. I just expanded it and then did long polynomial divisions to get the factors along the way. Thanks for the responses. :)
 

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