Solving a cubic equation

  • Thread starter chwala
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Cubic
  • #1

chwala

Gold Member
2,232
288
Homework Statement
find ##x## if ##2x(x^2y+4)=64##
Relevant Equations
cubic equations
##x^3y+4x-32=0##

is there a particular method for solving this? i know that ##x=2## and ##y=3##
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
I think you did not simplify correctly. I also assume you want integer solutions. Your 2 could have canceled out. After that, maybe you can solve for ##x## as a cubic and see what conditions on the solution produce integers.If I may, yours seems like unusual topics. Are you self -studying or taking a class?
 
  • #3
I think you did not simplify correctly. I also assume you want integer solutions. Your 2 could have canceled out. After that, maybe you can solve for ##x## as a cubic and see what conditions on the solution produce integers.If I may, yours seems like unusual topics. Are you self -studying or taking a class?

i am coming up with my own problems actually. I create them...self- study mate
 
  • #4
I think you did not simplify correctly. I also assume you want integer solutions. Your 2 could have canceled out. After that, maybe you can solve for ##x## as a cubic and see what conditions on the solution produce integers.If I may, yours seems like unusual topics. Are you self -studying or taking a class?
what do you mean by saying i did not simplify correctly? I think my equation is mathematically correct!
 
  • #5
what do you mean by saying i did not simplify correctly? I think my equation is mathematically correct!
Ah, I thought you had done something else. Are you familiar with the inverse or implicit function theorem? Edit: Or solve the cubic and see the conditions needed to find integer solutions.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Ah, I thought you had done something else. Are you familiar with the inverse or implicit function theorem? Edit: Or solve the cubic and see the conditions needed to find integer solutions.

i know implicit differentiation...guide me on the steps...
 
  • #7
I think my suggestion on differentiation may not have been the best. I think solving the cubic and finding conditions for integer solutions may be the best approach here. I need to be out for a while, will be back.
 
  • #8
##3x^{2}+x^3y^{'}+4=0##
##x^{3}y^{'}=-4-3x^2y##
 
  • #9
I think my suggestion on differentiation may not have been the best. I think solving the cubic and finding conditions for integer solutions may be the best approach here. I need to be out for a while, will be back.

ok i will also be awaiting more advice from other experts here...
 
  • #10
This equation has infinitely many solutions.
 
  • Like
Likes chwala and archaic
  • #11
Rewrite it like this : ##y(x^3+\frac{4}{y}x-\frac{32}{y})=0##
Capture.PNG

Derivation : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_equation#Derivation_of_the_roots
For ##y = 0## you just need to solve ##4x-32=0##.
 
  • #13
i will look at this, what's the name of the theorem? you guys are awesome:wink:

Bingo...
 
  • #14
Homework Statement:: find ##x## if ##2x(x^2y+4)=64##
Homework Equations:: cubic equations

##x^3y+4x-32=0##

is there a particular method for solving this? i know that ##x=2## and ##y=3##
Writing the equation in the form, ##x(x^2y+4)=32##, shows that ##x## cannot be zero.

Solving the equation for ##y##, shows that it's not so much like a cubic equation as it is a rational function, especially if you're looking for integer solutions.

##y=\dfrac{4(8-x)}{x^3}##

Just plug in a value for ##x##, get a value for ##y##.
 
  • Like
Likes chwala and archaic
  • #15
Yes, Your equation is just a relation between two variables, x and y.
Soution? Well, you could call the equation x = ... in #14 a solution.
You easily see from it that the relation between x and y it specifies is continuous except at x = 0, and that it covers an infinite range.
You have a simple relation y = a function of x in #14. You can work out a relation of form x = a function of y as told - but why bother? It is still saying the same thing in a more complicated way. in other cases you may not be able to work it out (cannot solve the equation algebraically) so you always go for the one that is simpler - in fact you are lucky that there is one, in many cases you can't get either an x =... or a y =... form, though you still have a relation which corresponds to a curve in two dimensions.

If you want whole number solutions, at least with small whole numbers, then I think the best way is simply to use a graphing calculator or app and see whether the graphed function goes through any small numbers. That immediately gave me your solution and also x = -2, y = -5.

I suspect you could prove without too much difficulty that there are no other whole number (er, integer) solutions but I am not personally tempted to make the effort.
 
Last edited:
  • #17
I think my suggestion on differentiation may not have been the best. I think solving the cubic and finding conditions for integer solutions may be the best approach here. I need to be out for a while, will be back.

so this problem cannot be solved as per your approach- differentiation...
 
  • #18
so this problem cannot be solved as per your approach- differentiation...
No, I misunderstood your question. I thought you just wanted to express y as a function of x. It was like 2 a.m. and I could barely read my phone. I don't think it would take us too far.
 
  • #19
No, I misunderstood your question. I thought you just wanted to express y as a function of x. It was like 2 a.m. and I could barely read my phone. I don't think it would take us too far.

ok no worries am liking it here, ...
 
  • #20
ok no worries am liking it here, ...
PF: Where nerds meet... ;).
 
  • #21
archaic thanks for this.

so is this the general way of solving the cubic equations that (do not have a quadratic factor) i.e.
ax^3+bx+c=0?
... are they referred to as depressed cubics? this is new to me...

Hi chwala:

This from Standard Mathematical Tables, Page 344 (1957 ed.).
y3 + py2 + qy + r = 0​
Substituting y = x - p/3 yields
x3 + ax + b = 0, where​
a = (1/3)(3q - p2) and​
b = (1/27)(2p3 - 9pq + 27r)​

Regards,
Buzz
 

Suggested for: Solving a cubic equation

Replies
10
Views
872
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
565
Replies
2
Views
838
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
33
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top