Showing the Other Root of $4x^2+2x-1= 0$ Given $\alpha$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the other root of the quadratic equation $4x^2+2x-1= 0$ given one root $\alpha$. Participants are asked to demonstrate that the other root can be expressed as $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and solution proposals.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if one root is $\alpha$, then the other root can be expressed as $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$.
  • Multiple participants present their own solutions to the problem, indicating various approaches or methods to arrive at the same conclusion.
  • One participant mentions fixing an issue and using spoiler tags to hide information regarding a solution, suggesting a focus on community courtesy.
  • Another participant acknowledges three good answers from others, indicating a variety of responses to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There appears to be no consensus on a single solution, as multiple participants present their own answers and approaches to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some posts may lack detailed explanations of the steps taken to derive the proposed solutions, and the discussion does not clarify the validity of the proposed expressions for the other root.

kaliprasad
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If one root of $4x^2+2x-1= 0 $ be $\alpha$ then show that other root is $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$
 
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kaliprasad said:
If one root of $4x^2+2x-1= 0 $ be $\alpha$ then show that other root is $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$
my solution:
for $\alpha $ is a root ,we must have $4\alpha^2+2\alpha -1=0----(1)$
let $\alpha +4\alpha^3-3\alpha=x----(2)$
and $\alpha \times (4\alpha^3-3\alpha)=4\alpha^4-3\alpha^2=y----(3)$
$(2)\times \alpha \rightarrow 4\alpha^4-2\alpha^2=x\alpha----(4)$
$(4)-(3):\alpha^2=x\alpha -y \rightarrow 4\alpha^2-4x\alpha+4y=0----(5)$
compare$(1)\,\, and\,\, (5)$,we have $x=\dfrac{-1}{2},y=\dfrac {-1}{4}$
and the proof is finished
 
Albert said:
my solution:
for $\alpha $ is a root ,we must have $4\alpha^2+2\alpha -1=0----(1)$
let $\alpha +4\alpha^3-3\alpha=x----(2)$
and $\alpha \times (4\alpha^3-3\alpha)=4\alpha^4-3\alpha^2=y----(3)$
$(2)\times \alpha \rightarrow 4\alpha^4-2\alpha^2=x\alpha----(4)$
$(4)-(3):\alpha^2=x\alpha -y \rightarrow 4\alpha^2-4x\alpha+4y=0----(5)$
compare$(1)\,\, and\,\, (5)$,we have $x=\dfrac{-1}{2},y=\dfrac {-1}{4}$
and the proof is finished

this is not proof as you are asuming the result and based on it you prove it you have assumed that (1) is the only equation satisfied by $\alpha$
 
kaliprasad said:
this is not proof as you are asuming the result and based on it you prove it you have assumed that (1) is the only equation satisfied by $\alpha$
I prove $\alpha \,\, and \,\,4\alpha^3-3\alpha$ satisfy Vieta's formulas
if $\alpha $ is a root ,and $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$ is another root ,then their sum and product must satisfy Vieta's formulas
and more $4x^2+2x-1=0 $ has exactly only two roots
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My solution:

Let:

$$\alpha=\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}$$

Then:

$$4\alpha^3-3\alpha=4\left(\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}\right)^3-3\left(\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}\right)=\frac{-16\pm8\sqrt{5}+12\mp12\sqrt{5}}{16}=\frac{-1\mp\sqrt{5}}{4}$$

Thus, when $\alpha$ is one root, $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$ is the other.
 
MarkFL said:
My solution:

Let:

$$\alpha=\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}$$

Then:

$$4\alpha^3-3\alpha=4\left(\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}\right)^3-3\left(\frac{-1\pm\sqrt{5}}{4}\right)=\frac{-16\pm8\sqrt{5}+12\mp12\sqrt{5}}{16}=\frac{-1\mp\sqrt{5}}{5}--(*)$$

Thus, when $\alpha$ is one root, $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$ is the other.

a typo :
(*)should be: $4\alpha^3-3\alpha
=\dfrac{-1\mp\sqrt{5}}{4}$
 
Albert said:
a typo :
(*)should be: $4\alpha^3-3\alpha
=\dfrac{-1\mp\sqrt{5}}{4}$

Fixed...and I hid the information in your post regarding a solution using the spoiler tags as a courtesy to the community. :)
 
kaliprasad said:
If one root of $4x^2+2x-1= 0 $ be $\alpha$ then show that other root is $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$

My solution:

$$x=\frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{4}$$ is a solution for $4x^2+2x-1= 0$ and it's also known to be $\cos 72^\circ$(sum 36+36). The other solution for $4x^2+2x-1= 0$ is $$x=-\left(\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{4}\right)$$ and it's known to be $-\cos 36^\circ=\cos (180^\circ+36^\circ)=\cos 3(72^\circ)$.

We therefore can conclude that if one of the roots for $4x^2+2x-1= 0$ is $\alpha$, which is $\cos 72^\circ$, the other root, $\cos 3(72^\circ)$ will be $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$, which abides by the triple angle formula for cosine function: $\cos 3\alpha=4\cos^3 \alpha -3\cos\alpha$
 
kaliprasad said:
If one root of $4x^2+2x-1= 0 $ be $\alpha$ then show that other root is $4\alpha^3-3\alpha$

I know that $\cos(36^\circ)=\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}$. By the quadratic relation, the two roots of the given quadratic are

$$\dfrac{\sqrt5-1}{4}$$ and $$-\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}$$

so we have

$$\cos(36^\circ)-\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{2}=-\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}$$

$$\cos(36^\circ)-2\cos(36^\circ)=-\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}$$

$$-\cos(36^\circ)=\cos(216^\circ)=-\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}$$

thus the other root is $\cos(216^\circ)$.

Now,

$$4\cos^3(x)-3\cos(x)=\cos(3x)$$

so, if $\cos(72)=\dfrac{\sqrt5-1}{4}$, we are done.

$$\cos(72^\circ)=2\cos^2(36^\circ)-1=2\left(\dfrac{\sqrt5+1}{4}\right)^2-1=\dfrac{\sqrt5-1}{4}$$

as required.

Thanks to anemone for inspiration.
 
  • #10
three good answers markfl, anemone and greg and here is my answer.

We have $4\alpha^2+2\alpha-1= 0\cdots(1) $
We need to prove
$4(4\alpha^3-3\alpha)^2+2(4\alpha^3-3\alpha)-1= 0 $
we have $4\alpha^2+2\alpha-1= 0$
Hence $4\alpha^3+2\alpha^2-\alpha= 0$
$4\alpha^3 = -2\alpha^2 + \alpha$
or $4\alpha^3 -3\alpha = - 2\alpha^2 - 2 \alpha= - \frac{1}{2}( 4\alpha^2 + 4\alpha)$
$= - \frac{1}{2}( 1 - 2\alpha + 4\alpha)= - \frac{1}{2}( 1 + 2\alpha) \dots(2)$
Hence $4(4\alpha^3-3\alpha)^2+2(4\alpha^3-3\alpha)-1= 0 $
= $4(\frac{1}{2}( 1 + 2\alpha))^2- 2 (\frac{1}{2}( 1 + 2\alpha)-1$ using (2)
= $( 1 + 2\alpha))^2- ( 1 + 2\alpha)-1$
= $1 + 4 \alpha + 4\alpha ^2 - 1 -2 \alpha -1$
= $4\alpha ^2 + 2 \alpha -1= 0$ from (1)
 

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