MHB Solving a Polynomial x^6 – 7x^3 + 12 by Factoring.

Click For Summary
To solve the polynomial x^6 – 7x^3 + 12, the substitution u = x^3 simplifies the equation to u^2 - 7u + 12. Factoring gives (u - 4)(u - 3) = 0, leading to u = 4 or u = 3. This results in x^3 = 4, giving x = ∛4, and x^3 = 3, giving x = ∛3. The complete solution set for the original polynomial includes the cube roots of 4 and 3.
RidiculousName
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
Hello, I have been going through the Wisconsin Placement Exam sample test. I'm trying to figure out how to find the solution set for x6 – 7x3 + 12.

I have tried having u = x3 and solving for u2-7u+12, but I'm unsure what to do once I get (u - 4)(u - 3).

Would someone help me figure out how to solve this type of problem?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
RidiculousName said:
Hello, I have been going through the Wisconsin Placement Exam sample test. I'm trying to figure out how to find the solution set for x6 – 7x3 + 12.

I have tried having u = x3 and solving for u2-7u+12, but I'm unsure what to do once I get (u - 4)(u - 3).

Would someone help me figure out how to solve this type of problem?

if $x^6-7x^3+12 = 0$ ...

$u = x^3 \implies u^2-7u+12 = 0 \implies (u-4)(u-3) = 0$

the zero product property $\implies u = 4$ or $u = 3$

$u = 4 \implies x^3 = 4 \implies x = \sqrt[3]{4}$

$u = 3 \implies x^3 = 3 \implies x = \sqrt[3]{3}$
 
skeeter said:
if $x^6-7x^3+12 = 0$ ...

$u = x^3 \implies u^2-7u+12 = 0 \implies (u-4)(u-3) = 0$

the zero product property $\implies u = 4$ or $u = 3$

$u = 4 \implies x^3 = 4 \implies x = \sqrt[3]{4}$

$u = 3 \implies x^3 = 3 \implies x = \sqrt[3]{3}$

Thank you!
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K