*finding zero of order 4 polynominial

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The discussion centers on finding the zeros of the polynomial function \( f(x) = 16x^4 + 3x^2 - 2 \). Participants utilize the quadratic formula by substituting \( u = x^2 \) to simplify the equation. The correct zeros are derived as \( x = \pm \frac{1}{4} \sqrt{-\frac{3}{2} + \frac{\sqrt{137}}{2}} \), with the factor of \( \frac{1}{4} \) resulting from the application of the quadratic formula and the division by the leading coefficient. The final expression confirms the equivalence to the results provided by Wolfram Alpha.

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karush
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Find the zeros
$$f(x)=16x^4+3x^2-2$$
ok I presume we can solve this with the quadratic formula even with powers of 4 and 2
by setting $u=x^2$ I was able to get$$x=\pm\sqrt{-\frac{3}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{137}}{2}}$$but $W\vert A$ says the answer is$$x=\pm\frac{1}{4}\sqrt{-\frac{3}{2}+\frac{\sqrt{137}}{2}}$$where does the $\frac{1}{4}$ come from?

$$\tiny{140.56}$$
 
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You should get (when applying the quadratic formula and discarding the complex roots):

$$x=\pm\sqrt{-\frac{3}{32}+\frac{\sqrt{137}}{32}}$$

The 32 comes from twice the coefficient of the 4th degree term. And this is equivalent to W|A's result.
 
Start by dividing by 2: 8x^4 + (3/2)x^2 - 1 = 0
 
Wilmer said:
Start by dividing by 2: 8x^4 + (3/2)x^2 - 1 = 0

\begin{align}\displaystyle
y&=8x^4 + (3/2)x^2 - 1 \\
&=\frac{-(3/2)\pm\sqrt{(3/2)^2-4(8)(-1)}}{2(8)}\\
&=\frac{1}{16} \left(-\frac{3}{2} \pm \frac{\sqrt{137}}{2}\right)
\end{align}

maybe:rolleyes:
 
The square root of that changes the 1/16 to 1/4
 

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