Find Real Root: $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a real root of the polynomial equation $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$. Participants explore various methods and approaches, including numerical methods and algebraic manipulations, while also considering the nature of exact values versus approximations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in finding an exact root of the equation rather than an approximate numerical solution.
  • One participant mentions the challenge of obtaining exact values for certain irrational numbers, suggesting that while exact values cannot be expressed in decimal form, they can be represented symbolically.
  • Another participant proposes a method involving a transformation of the variable to simplify the equation, leading to a quadratic in terms of $t^5$.
  • There is a mention of the historical context regarding the general solutions to quintic equations, indicating that such solutions were known before the advent of computers.
  • One participant outlines a specific approach to derive a solution using a substitution and algebraic manipulation, ultimately leading to a proposed solution involving roots of unity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method for finding the real root, and multiple approaches are discussed without resolution. There is also a divergence in views regarding the nature of exact versus approximate solutions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the complexity of the equations involved and suggest that computational methods may be necessary for certain approaches. The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of the roots and the transformations applied to the original equation.

anemone
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Find a real root of $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$.
 
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anemone said:
Find a real root of $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$.
let: $f(x)=x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0---(1)$
then
$f'(x)=5x^4-30x^2+20$
we know if $x\geq 3$ then (1) no solution
$f(2.83)<0,f(3)>0$
there is a soluion $2.83<x<3$
using Newton's Method:
$x=r - \dfrac{f(r)}{f'(r)}$
if $r=2.83$
we get one solution $x\approx 2.835263$
 
Albert said:
let: $f(x)=x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0---(1)$
then
$f'(x)=5x^4-30x^2+20$
we know if $x\geq 3$ then (1) no solution
$f(2.83)<0,f(3)>0$
there is a soluion $2.83<x<3$
using Newton's Method:
$x=r - \dfrac{f(r)}{f'(r)}$
if $r=2.83$
we get one solution $x\approx 2.835263$

Thanks for participating, Albert! Yes, that is right! Well done!

But what if we want to find the exact root?(Happy)
 
anemone said:
Thanks for participating, Albert! Yes, that is right! Well done!

But what if we want to find the exact root?(Happy)

I considered posting the result from Newton's method, but something told me you want the exact value...:D
 
MarkFL said:
I considered posting the result from Newton's method, but something told me you want the exact value...:D

Aww...I must apologize for not being very clear in the problem ...sorry!(Tmi):o
 
It's a DeMoivre quintic. The real root is $$8^{1/5}+\frac{2}{8^{1/5}}$$
 
anemone said:
Thanks for participating, Albert! Yes, that is right! Well done!

But what if we want to find the exact root?(Happy)
we can never get the exact value of :
$\pi,e,\sqrt 2,\sqrt [5] 8---$ right ?
 
Albert said:
we can never get the exact value of :
$\pi,e,\sqrt 2,\sqrt [5] 8---$ right ?

It is true that we can never write the exact value of irrational numbers in decimal form, but giving their symbol or radical notation represents their exact values. :D
 
anemone said:
Find a real root of $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0---(1)$.
there is only one real solution k for (1)
if all the solutions of (1) are:
$a\pm bi$,$c\pm di$ and k(real) then :
linear equations:
$2a+2c+k=0-----(1)$
-----
-----
-----
$(a^2+b^2)(c^2+d^2)k=12---(5)$
we will have 5 equations and 5 valuables .it is too complicated ,and should be solved by computer
 
  • #10
Actually, general solutions to several types of quintic equations were found decades before computers were invented.
 
  • #11
Thank you MarkFL, greg1313 and Albert for all of the responses...

Solution of other:

Use the substitution where $x=2\sqrt{2}\cosh y$, we see that

$x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$ becomes

$(2\sqrt{2}\cosh y)^5-10(2\sqrt{2}\cosh y)^3+20(2\sqrt{2}\cosh y)-12=0$

$128\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)^5-160\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)^3+40\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)-12=0$

$\dfrac{128\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)^5}{8\sqrt{2}}-\dfrac{160\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)^3}{8\sqrt{2}}+\dfrac{40\sqrt{2}(\cosh y)}{8\sqrt{2}}=\dfrac{12}{8\sqrt{2}}$

$16\cosh^5 y-20\cosh^3 y+5\cosh y=\dfrac{3}{2\sqrt{2}}$

Using the multiple angle formula for hyperbolic $\cosh$ function we get

$(10\cosh y+5\cosh 3y+\cosh 5y)-(15\cosh y+5\cosh 3y)+5\cosh y=\dfrac{3}{2\sqrt{2}}$

$5\cosh 3y=\dfrac{3}{2\sqrt{2}}$

According to the definition $\cosh^{-1} a=\ln (a\pm\sqrt{a^2-1})$, we find $5y=\ln \left(\dfrac{3\sqrt{2}}{4}\pm\dfrac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\right)=\pm\dfrac{\ln 2}{2}\implies y=\pm 0.1\ln 2$

Again, by the definition $\cosh a=\dfrac{e^{a}+e^{-a}}{2}$, we have

$\begin{align*}x&=2\sqrt{2}\cosh y\\&=2\sqrt{2}\left(\dfrac{e^{0.1\ln 2}+e^{-0.1\ln 2}}{2}\right)\\&=\sqrt{2}(2^{0.1}+2^{-0.1})\\&=2^{0.6}+2^{0.4}\end{align*}$
 
  • #12
anemone said:
Find a real root of $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$.
This is just to explain how the hint given by greg1313 in comment #6 leads to the solution given by anemone.
[sp]
We look for a solution of the form $x = t + \dfrac at$. Then

$x^5 = t^5 + 5at^3 + 10 a^2t + 10a^3t^{-1} + 5a^4t^{-3} + a^5t^{-5}.$

Also, $x^3 = t^3 + 3at + 3a^2t^{-1} + a^3t^{-3}.$

Therefore $x^5 - 5ax^3 = t^5 - 5a^2t - 5a^3t^{-1} + a^5t^{-5},$ and $x^5 - 5ax^3 + 5a^2x = t^5 + a^5t^{-5}.$

Comparing that with the given equation $x^5-10x^3+20x-12=0$, you see that if we take $a=2$ then we get $x^5-10x^3+20x = t^5 + 32t^{-5}.$

So we want $t^5 + 32t^{-5} = 12$, or $t^{10} - 12 t^5 + 32 = 0.$ That is a quadratic in $t^5$, with solutions $t^5 = 4$ or $8$. Thus $t = 2^{2/5}$ or $2^{3/5}$. Substitute either of those values into the equation $x = t + \dfrac 2t$ and you get the solution $x= 2^{2/5} + 2^{3/5}$ (which is also the solution stated by greg1313).[/sp]
 

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