Find Polynomial Roots: x4-2x3-25x2+50x

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the roots of the polynomial equation x4 - 2x3 - 25x2 + 50x. Participants explore various methods for factoring the polynomial and identifying its roots, including the implications of having x as a factor.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a factorization of the polynomial and identifies the roots as +5, -5, and 2, expressing uncertainty about the presence of 0 as a root.
  • Another participant confirms the identification of roots and highlights a minor typo in the factorization process, affirming that the roots are indeed -5, 0, 2, and 5.
  • A question is raised about whether having x alone in front of other terms always indicates that 0 is a root, to which a participant responds affirmatively.
  • Further elaboration is provided on the implications of dividing by x, leading to two cases: one where x = 0 and another where x ≠ 0, allowing for the application of the Rational Root Theorem.
  • Another participant reiterates the factorization and explains the reasoning behind finding the roots by setting each factor to zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the identification of the roots, including 0 as a root due to the factor x. However, there are variations in the explanations and methods presented, indicating that multiple approaches to the problem are being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their initial steps and the implications of having x as a factor, which may lead to different interpretations of the factorization process.

theakdad
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I have to find all solutions for X when:
x4-2x3-25x2+50x

I have done it so,but I am not sure if this is ok:

x(x3-2x2-25x+50)

= x(x2(x-2)-25(x+2)
= x(x2-25)(x-2)
=x(x-5)(x+5)(x-2)

Now i see that root/zeroes are +5,-5 and 2. I know that this polynomial has another zero that is 0,but how do i know that? Because x is in the front? Or did i make a mistake and should such problems deal another way? Thank you for all replies!
 
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wishmaster said:
I have to find all solutions for X when:
x4-2x3-25x2+50x

I have done it so,but I am not sure if this is ok:

x(x3-2x2-25x+50)

= x(x2(x-2)-25(x-2))
= x(x2-25)(x-2)
=x(x-5)(x+5)(x-2)

Now i see that root/zeroes are +5,-5 and 2. I know that this polynomial has another zero that is 0,but how do i know that? Because x is in the front? Or did i make a mistake and should such problems deal another way? Thank you for all replies!

You had a minor typo in your working which did not affect the outcome. I have highlighted it in red, but is is obvious from your subsequent steps that you intended to write this. The four roots of the polynomial are found by equating each of the four factors to zero, including the factor $x$ in front, and solving for $x$. So you are correct that the four roots are (in ascending order):

$$x=-5,\,0,\,2,\,5$$

Great job! :D
 
MarkFL said:
You had a minor typo in your working which did not affect the outcome. I have highlighted it in red, but is is obvious from your subsequent steps that you intended to write this. The four roots of the polynomial are found by equating each of the four factors to zero, including the factor $x$ in front, and solving for $x$. So you are correct that the four roots are (in ascending order):

$$x=-5,\,0,\,2,\,5$$

Great job! :D

Thank you! Sorry,that was a type mismatch.
one question,when x stays alone in front of other terms,then this root is always zero?
 
wishmaster said:
Thank you! Sorry,that was a type mismatch.
one question,when x stays alone in front of other terms,then this root is always zero?

Yes, equating that factor to zero, we get:

$$x=0$$

It is already solved for $x$, and it tells us that $x=0$ is a root.
 
wishmaster said:
Thank you! Sorry,that was a type mismatch.
one question,when x stays alone in front of other terms,then this root is always zero?
Another way to se it if we want to divide by x Then we get 2 case
case 1 $$x=0$$
put $$x=0$$ to the equation and we see that $$0=0$$ hence 0 is a root
case 2 $$x \neq 0$$
we know can divide by x (we get third degree polynom) and now it's just to use rational root Theorem and long polynom division and Then it becomes second grade polynom which is easy to solve

Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
wishmaster said:
x4-2x3-25x2+50x

=x(x-5)(x+5)(x-2)
To be specific we have that if ab = 0 then either a = 0 or b = 0. In this case that means when
x(x - 5)(x + 5)(x - 2) = 0

we get solutions when:
x = 0, or x - 5 = 0, or x + 5 = 0, or x - 2 = 0

The solutions to these four equations are your roots.

-Dan
 

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