Determine the value for x^5 + 1/x^5

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the possible values of $$x^5 + \frac{1}{x^5}$$ given that $$x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} = 7$$. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express their solutions to the problem, with varying methods including trigonometric approaches.
  • One participant acknowledges the correctness of another's solution while suggesting it could benefit from further simplification.
  • Another participant appreciates the diversity of methods presented, indicating that different approaches can provide valuable insights.
  • Several participants express gratitude for the contributions of others, emphasizing the learning aspect of sharing solutions.
  • There is a recognition of the emotional experience of comparing one's solution to others, with some participants feeling a sense of accomplishment despite the complexity of their own methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of sharing different solutions and approaches, but there is no consensus on a single method or solution to the problem itself.

Contextual Notes

Some solutions appear to be more complex or less straightforward than others, and participants acknowledge the challenges in arriving at a solution. There are also indications of varying levels of satisfaction with the methods used.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in mathematical problem-solving, particularly those who enjoy exploring multiple approaches to a single problem, may find this discussion beneficial.

anemone
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If $$x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}=7$$, find all possible values of $$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}$$.
 
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Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

anemone said:
If $$x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}=7$$, find all possible values of $$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}$$.

\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} &= 7 \\ x^2 \left( x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} \right) &= 7x^2 \\ x^4 + 1 &= 7x^2 \\ x^4 - 7x^2 + 1 &= 0 \\ X^2 - 7X + 1 &= 0 \textrm{ if }X = x^2 \\ X^2 - 7X + \left( -\frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \left( -\frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 + 1 &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \frac{49}{4} + \frac{4}{4} &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \frac{45}{4} &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 &= \frac{45}{4} \\ X - \frac{7}{2} &= \pm \frac{ 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ X &= \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ x^2 &= \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ x &= \pm \sqrt{ \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} } \\ x &= \pm \frac{\sqrt{14 \pm 6\sqrt{5}}}{2} \end{align*}

so

\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^5 + \frac{1}{x^5} &= \left( \pm \frac{ \sqrt{ 14 \pm 6\sqrt{5} } }{2} \right) ^5 + \frac{1}{ \left( \pm \frac{ \sqrt{ 14 \pm 6\sqrt{5} } }{2} \right) ^5 } \end{align*}

which probably simplifies quite a lot :)
 
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

My solution:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^2=x^2+2+\frac{1}{x^2}=9$$

Hence:

$$x+\frac{1}{x}=\pm3$$

Also, we find:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^3=x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}+3\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

$$\pm27=x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}\pm9$$

$$x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=\pm18$$

And finally:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^5=x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}+5\left(x^3+\frac{1}{x^3} \right)+10\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

Hence:

$$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}=\pm(243-5\cdot18-10\cdot3)=\pm123$$
 
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

Prove It said:
\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} &= 7 \\ x^2 \left( x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2} \right) &= 7x^2 \\ x^4 + 1 &= 7x^2 \\ x^4 - 7x^2 + 1 &= 0 \\ X^2 - 7X + 1 &= 0 \textrm{ if }X = x^2 \\ X^2 - 7X + \left( -\frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \left( -\frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 + 1 &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \frac{49}{4} + \frac{4}{4} &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 - \frac{45}{4} &= 0 \\ \left( X - \frac{7}{2} \right) ^2 &= \frac{45}{4} \\ X - \frac{7}{2} &= \pm \frac{ 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ X &= \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ x^2 &= \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} \\ x &= \pm \sqrt{ \frac{7 \pm 3\sqrt{5}}{2} } \\ x &= \pm \frac{\sqrt{14 \pm 6\sqrt{5}}}{2} \end{align*}

so

\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^5 + \frac{1}{x^5} &= \left( \pm \frac{ \sqrt{ 14 \pm 6\sqrt{5} } }{2} \right) ^5 + \frac{1}{ \left( \pm \frac{ \sqrt{ 14 \pm 6\sqrt{5} } }{2} \right) ^5 } \end{align*}

which probably simplifies quite a lot :)

Hi Prove It,

After reading your step-by-step solution, I really think your answer is correct but just it needed more simplification to it! :oAnd thanks for participating!

MarkFL said:
My solution:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^2=x^2+2+\frac{1}{x^2}=9$$

Hence:

$$x+\frac{1}{x}=\pm3$$

Also, we find:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^3=x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}+3\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

$$\pm27=x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}\pm9$$

$$x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=\pm18$$

And finally:

$$\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)^5=x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}+5\left(x^3+\frac{1}{x^3} \right)+10\left(x+\frac{1}{x} \right)$$

Hence:

$$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}=\pm(243-5\cdot18-10\cdot3)=\pm123$$

Well done, MarkFL! Your answer is correct and your method of approaching it is different from mine as I used trigonometric method to solve it and it's more tedious and lousy than yours!(Nerd)
 
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

I still would like to see it! (Clapping)
 
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

Good solution by MarkFL

Here is another

Let f(n) = x^n + 1/x^n = x^n + x^(-n) note it should be strictly f(n,x) but I have taken x implicitly)
Then f(0) = 2
Now
f(n)f(m) = (x^n + x^(-n)) ( x^m + x^(-m) = x^(n+m) + x^(n-m) + x^-(n-m) + x^(-(n+m))
= x^(n+m) + x^(-(n+m)) + x^(n-m) + x^-(n-m)
= f(n+m) + f(n-m)

so we got f(n)f(m) = f(n+m) + f(n-m)

n= 1,m= 1
give f(2) + f(0) = f(1)^2 = 9 so f(1) = 3 or – 3

for f(1) = 3
now n = 2, m= 1 we get

f(2)f(1) = f(3) + f(1) or f(3) = f(2) f(1) – f(1) = 7 * 3 – 3 = 18

n =3 , m= 2 give

f(3)f(2) = f(5) + f(1) or f(5) = f(3) f(2) – f(1) = 18 * 7 – 3 = 126 -3 = 123 for f(1) = - 3 we can compute similarly
 
Last edited:
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

kaliprasad said:
Good solution by MarkFL

Here is another

Let f(n) = x^n + 1/x^n = x^n + x^(-n) note it should be strictly f(n,x) but I have taken x implicitly)
Then f(0) = 2
Now
f(n)f(m) = (x^n + x^(-n)) ( x^m + x^(-m) = x^(n+m) + x^(n-m) + x^-(n-m) + x^(-(n+m))
= x^(n+m) + x^(-(n+m)) + x^(n-m) + x^-(n-m)
= f(n+m) + f(n-m)

so we got f(n)f(m) = f(n+m) + f(n-m)

n= 1,m= 1
give f(2) + f(0) = f(1)^2 = 9 so f(1) = 3 or – 3

for f(1) = 3
now n = 2, m= 1 we get

f(2)f(1) = f(3) + f(1) or f(3) = f(2) f(1) – f(1) = 7 * 3 – 3 = 18

n =3 , m= 2 give

f(3)f(2) = f(5) + f(1) or f(5) = f(3) f(2) – f(1) = 18 * 7 – 3 = 126 -3 = 123 for f(1) = - 3 we can compute similarly

Hi kaliprasad,

Thanks for participating and your method has given me a completely new insight on how to tackle the problem using another route...well done, kali!(Sun)
 
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

MarkFL said:
I still would like to see it! (Clapping)

My solution:

First I let $x^2=\tan y$, then $$x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}=7$$ becomes $$\tan y+\frac{1}{\tan y}=7$$ or $$\tan^2 y+1=7\tan y$$ and this implies

i.) $$\sec^2 y=7\tan y$$

ii.)$$\sin 2y=\frac{2}{7}$$,

iii.) $$\sin y \cos y=\frac{1}{7}$$,

iv.) $$\sin y+\cos y=\frac{3}{\sqrt{7}}$$,

v.) $$\sin^4 y+\cos^4 y=\frac{47}{49}$$,

vi.) $$\sqrt{\tan y}\cos y= \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{7}}$$,

Next, we have to evaluate $$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}$$, i.e.

$$x^5+\frac{1}{x^5}=\frac{x^{10}+1}{x^5}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\frac{(x^{2})^5+1}{(x^2)^4(x)}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\frac{(\tan y)^5+1}{(\tan y)^4(\sqrt{\tan y})}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\frac{\sin^5 y+\cos^5 y}{\cos^3 y \sin^2 y(\sqrt{\tan y})}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\frac{(\sin y+\cos y)(\sin^4 y+\cos^4 y-\sin y \cos y(\sin^2 y + \cos^2 y- \sin y \cos y))}{(\cos y \sin y)^2(\sqrt{\tan y})\cos y}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\pm \frac{(\frac{3}{\sqrt{7}})(\frac{47}{49}-\frac{1}{7}(1- \frac{1}{7}))}{(\frac{1}{7})^2(\frac{1}{\sqrt{7}})}$$

$$\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;=\pm 123$$

I know, I know, this looks like a mess:mad:...but this is my thought and I must post it to show how much I appreciate to the fact that there are so many members answered to my challenge problems!:)
 
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Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

I just want to say it speaks highly of your character to be willing to post your solution, even if you feel it is not as straightforward as that given by another. But, I think others benefit by seeing different approaches, so you have done a good thing for MHB. (Inlove)

I know I have posted solutions to problems, only to have someone else come along and post a much more direct and simple solution, and the feeling of "D'oh! Why didn't I think of that?" can momentarily be very powerful! (Doh)

But, in the end, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that at least we were able to solve the problem, and we can learn from the solutions given by others. (Sun)

Thank you for sharing your solution. (Clapping)
 
  • #10
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

MarkFL said:
I just want to say it speaks highly of your character to be willing to post your solution, even if you feel it is not as straightforward as that given by another. But, I think others benefit by seeing different approaches, so you have done a good thing for MHB. (Inlove)

I know I have posted solutions to problems, only to have someone else come along and post a much more direct and simple solution, and the feeling of "D'oh! Why didn't I think of that?" can momentarily be very powerful! (Doh)

But, in the end, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that at least we were able to solve the problem, and we can learn from the solutions given by others. (Sun)

Thank you for sharing your solution. (Clapping)

Thank you for your kind words, Mark! I agree with all that you said and you're always a joy to read!
 
  • #11
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

Extremely well said, Mark^^ (Clapping)For me personally, when an problem I find interesting gets posted on here - which thankfully happens a lot - I enjoy looking at all of the different solutions. And sometimes, like in this case, I find the less obvious / more circumspect ones the most interesting...

Well done Anemone! And thanks for sharing! (Sun)
 
  • #12
Re: Determine the value for x^5+1/x^5

DreamWeaver said:
Extremely well said, Mark^^ (Clapping)For me personally, when an problem I find interesting gets posted on here - which thankfully happens a lot - I enjoy looking at all of the different solutions. And sometimes, like in this case, I find the less obvious / more circumspect ones the most interesting...

Well done Anemone! And thanks for sharing! (Sun)

Hi Dreamweaver,

That's extremely nice of you to say...and as a matter of fact, I know that I am the one who owes thanks to those members who have taught me how to solve the math problems on which I was stuck, and to those who have participated in my challenge problems, and to those who have read the challenge problems that I posted! :)
 

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