1. Mar 13, 2010 #1

   Dustinsfl

   

   x^4 + 7x^2 + 6 =0
   
   I know the answers are imaginary but I don't remember how to solve this equation.

    

   Dustinsfl, Mar 13, 2010
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3. Mar 13, 2010 #2

   boboYO

   

   Let t=x^2 and solve for t. Then once you have t, you can easily find x.

    

   boboYO, Mar 13, 2010
4. Mar 13, 2010 #3

   Dustinsfl

   

   If I do that and solve for t, I obtain two real solutions when all 4 all imaginary.

    

   Dustinsfl, Mar 13, 2010
5. Mar 13, 2010 #4

   boboYO

   

   using quadratic formula:
   
   [tex] x^2=\frac{-7\pm \sqrt{49-24}}{2}[/tex]
   [tex] x^2=\{-6,-1\} [/tex]
   
   both values of x^2 for negative, so all 4 values of x are imaginary. Check your working?

    

   boboYO, Mar 13, 2010

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