Need Help Factoring This Equation?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter powp
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Factoring
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on factoring the equation x^2 + 5 + 6/(x^2). Participants clarify that the equation can be transformed into a biquadratic form by substituting x^2 with t, leading to the equation x^2 + 11 = 0 after eliminating the denominator. The correct factored form is ((x^2 + 2)(x^2 + 3)) / x^2. To verify the factorization, users suggest using the FOIL method to check if the original equation is restored.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of biquadratic equations
  • Familiarity with the FOIL method for polynomial multiplication
  • Knowledge of completing the square technique
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Study biquadratic equations and their properties
  • Practice the FOIL method with various polynomial expressions
  • Learn how to complete the square for different types of equations
  • Explore advanced factoring techniques for polynomials
USEFUL FOR

Students, educators, and anyone seeking to improve their algebra skills, particularly in factoring and solving polynomial equations.

powp
Messages
91
Reaction score
0
Hello All,

Just trying to figure out how to factor the following problem.

x^2 + 5 + 6/(x^2)

Can anybody help me??

Thanks
P
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
It's a biquadratic.You can make the substitution

x^{2}=t...It will be very simple then.Piut everything under a common denominator.

Daniel.
 
Kurt

Thanks for the reply. Could you clarify this for me or expaned upon it.

I am really confussed.

Thanks
 
Ok, you've got x^2 as your demonminator
 
After you set the (x^2 +5 +6)/(x^2) equal to zero, mulitply both sides of the equation by x^2. That will eliminate your x^2 from the bottom of the equation. You should end up with

x^2 + 11=0

Then just complete the square and factor it.
 
You'll get 11 when you simplify the 5+6 part of your equation.

Does that help? :smile:
 
It's actually

\frac{x^{4}+5x^{2}+6}{x^{2}}

Daniel.
 
It wouldn't be because if you multiply the left side of the equation with x^2 over one, the x^2's would divide out and you would be left with x^2 +11.
 
x^{2}+5+\frac{6}{x^{2}}=\frac{x^{2}}{1}+\frac{5}{1}+\frac{6}{x^{2}}=\frac{x^{4}}{x^{2}}+\frac{5x^{2}}{x^{2}}+\frac{6}{x^{2}}=\frac{x^{4}+5x^{2}+6}{x^{2}}

Daniel.
 
  • #10
OK. Why are you two coming up with different answers?

Kurt

so would my factored answer be

((x^2+2)(x^2+3)) /x^2?
 
  • #11
Sorry Daniel thought your name was Kurt
 
  • #12
No problem.Exactly.Your answer is valid.:smile:

Daniel.
 
  • #13
Is there anyway to check to see if this has been factored correctly?
 
  • #14
Thanks for your help and MissKittys
 
  • #15
I see where I went wrong. Sorry Daniel! :redface:

I thought the x^2 +5 +6 was all in the numerator not x^2 +5 + (6/x^2).

Thats why we were coming up with different answers. Your answer is correct. If you're not sure then try to FOIL it back into the quadratic it was before you factored it. :smile:
 
  • #16
No problem! Anytime. :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K