Can You Solve This Challenging Polynomial Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a challenging polynomial equation, initially presented with a potential typo in the coefficients. Participants explore various methods for solving the equation, share their experiences, and discuss their approaches to polynomial equations in general.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving the original polynomial equation and reflects on their knowledge of solving polynomial equations in general.
  • A later post identifies a potential typo in the problem's coefficients, suggesting the equation should be modified for clarity.
  • Multiple participants share their solutions, with some noting similarities in their approaches, indicating a collaborative exploration of the problem.
  • There is a mix of encouragement and playful banter among participants regarding their solutions and methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to clarify the problem due to the identified typo, but there are multiple approaches to solving the equation, and no consensus on a single solution method is reached.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to different methods of solving polynomial equations, but specific mathematical steps and assumptions are not fully detailed, leaving some aspects unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in polynomial equations, problem-solving strategies in mathematics, and collaborative discussions on mathematical challenges may find this thread useful.

anemone
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Solve $(x^2-9x+22)^2-10(x^2-9x+22)=x-22$.
 
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Well, I couldn't do it. On the other hand I didn't realize how many ways I know how to solve a polynomial equation, so it's been a good problem for me. (I drew the line when it came to solving a general quartic. Even I'm not that crazy! (Sun) )

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Well, I couldn't do it. On the other hand I didn't realize how many ways I know how to solve a polynomial equation, so it's been a good problem for me. (I drew the line when it came to solving a general quartic. Even I'm not that crazy! (Sun) )

-Dan

I was so excited when this new post came into my today challenge problem! And you sure are
witty and humorous...
(Tongueout)
 
anemone said:
Solve $(x^2-9x+22)^2-10(x^2-9x+22)=x-22$.

Hi MHB,

I only realized by now that there is a typo, an error in the coefficient of 10 that is attached to the term $x^2-9x+22$ above, the problem should read:

Solve $(x^2-9x+22)^2-9(x^2-9x+22)=x-22$.

I am terribly sorry that I did that.(Tmi)(Doh)
 
My solution:

Let's arrange the equation as:

$$\left(x^2-9x+22\right)^2-9\left(x^2-9x+22\right)-x+22=0$$

Expanding and collecting like terms yields:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=0$$

Now, let's assume we may factor as follows:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=\left(x^2+ax+b\right)\left(x^2+cx+d\right)$$

Expand the right side:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=x^4+(a+c)x^3+(ac+b+d)x^2+(ad+bc)x+bd$$

Equating coefficients, we obtain the system:

$$a+c=-18$$

$$ac+b+d=116$$

$$ad+bc=-316$$

$$bd=308$$

Solving this system, we obtain:

$$a=-10,\,b=22,\,c=-8,\,d=14$$

Hence:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=\left(x^2-10x+22\right)\left(x^2-8x+14\right)$$

Application of the quadratic formula yields:

$$x=4\pm\sqrt{2},\,5\pm\sqrt{3}$$

Now, that is a mundane way to solve such a fun equation. Let's look at the substitution:

$$u=x^2-9x+22$$

And the original then becomes:

$$u^2-9u+22=x$$

Adding the two equations, we obtain:

$$u^2-8u+22=x^2-8x+22$$

And this may be reduced to:

$$(u-x)(u+x-8)=0$$

Back-substituting for $u$, we then get:

$$(x^2-9x+22-x)(x^2-9x+22+x-8)=0$$

$$(x^2-10x+22)(x^2-8x+14)=0$$

And the roots follow as above:

$$x=4\pm\sqrt{2},\,5\pm\sqrt{3}$$ :D
 
anemone said:
Solve $(x^2-9x+22)^2-9(x^2-9x+22)=x-22---(1)$.
let $x^2-9x+22=y---(1)$
(1) becomes :$y^2-9y+22=x---(2)$
(1)-(2) we have :$(x-y)(x+y-8)=0--(3)$
$\therefore \,\,x=y---(4),\,\, or \,\,x+y-8=0--(5)$
put (4)(5) to (1) or (2) we get
$x=4\pm \sqrt 2,\,\ or\,\, x=5\pm \sqrt 3$
 
MarkFL said:
My solution:

Let's arrange the equation as:

$$\left(x^2-9x+22\right)^2-9\left(x^2-9x+22\right)-x+22=0$$

Expanding and collecting like terms yields:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=0$$

Now, let's assume we may factor as follows:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=\left(x^2+ax+b\right)\left(x^2+cx+d\right)$$

Expand the right side:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=x^4+(a+c)x^3+(ac+b+d)x^2+(ad+bc)x+bd$$

Equating coefficients, we obtain the system:

$$a+c=-18$$

$$ac+b+d=116$$

$$ad+bc=-316$$

$$bd=308$$

Solving this system, we obtain:

$$a=-10,\,b=22,\,c=-8,\,d=14$$

Hence:

$$x^4-18x^3+116x^2-316x+308=\left(x^2-10x+22\right)\left(x^2-8x+14\right)$$

Application of the quadratic formula yields:

$$x=4\pm\sqrt{2},\,5\pm\sqrt{3}$$

Now, that is a mundane way to solve such a fun equation. Let's look at the substitution:

$$u=x^2-9x+22$$

And the original then becomes:

$$u^2-9u+22=x$$

Adding the two equations, we obtain:

$$u^2-8u+22=x^2-8x+22$$

And this may be reduced to:

$$(u-x)(u+x-8)=0$$

Back-substituting for $u$, we then get:

$$(x^2-9x+22-x)(x^2-9x+22+x-8)=0$$

$$(x^2-10x+22)(x^2-8x+14)=0$$

And the roots follow as above:

$$x=4\pm\sqrt{2},\,5\pm\sqrt{3}$$ :D

Well done, MarkFL! (Clapping)

If I were you, I would only show to the world of the second very smart solution, at least that could, hopefully, to impress some, hehehe...(Happy)

Edit:

Albert said:
let $x^2-9x+22=y---(1)$
(1) becomes :$y^2-9y+22=x---(2)$
(1)-(2) we have :$(x-y)(x+y-8)=0--(3)$
$therefore \,\,x=y---(4),\,\, or \,\,x+y-8=0--(5)$
put (4)(5) to (1) or (2) we get
$x=4\pm \sqrt 2,\,\ or\,\, x=5\pm \sqrt 3$

Bravo, Albert, and thanks for participating!:)
 
my solution is the same as MarkFL's second
part solution ,sorry I did not know he post it first
 
Last edited:
anemone said:
Well done, MarkFL! (Clapping)

If I were you, I would only show to the world of the second very smart solution, at least that could, hopefully, to impress some, hehehe...(Happy)

Well, I typed up the first method, but I knew there had to be a more clever way to solve it, so I looked until I found it, and then just added what I had found. Everyone already knows how awesome I am, so there's no need to try to impress...(Smirk)
 
  • #10
Albert said:
my solution is the same as MarkFL's second
part solution ,sorry I did not know he post it first

We were working on them at the same time, and we just happened to come up with the same method. :D
 

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