Solving the Quintic Equation x^5+ax+b

  • Thread starter Thread starter footmath
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The quintic equation x^5 + ax + b is generally not solvable using radicals, although specific cases may allow for analytical solutions. Numerical methods are often employed to find roots, as the solutions cannot typically be expressed with elementary functions. For the inverse function of f(x) = x^5 + ax + b, if a < 0, the function is not one-to-one, making it impossible to find a single-valued inverse. If a > 0, the function is increasing and has an inverse, but deriving a formula for it remains complex. Special functions, such as the Jacobi theta function, may be necessary for analytical expressions, though they are impractical for most applications.
footmath
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
how can i solve this equation :
x^5+ax+b
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi footmath! :wink:
footmath said:
how can i solve this equation :
x^5+ax+b

guessin, numerical approximation, or bribing the TA …

otherwise, you can't! :smile:
 
footmath said:
how can i solve this equation :
x^5+ax+b

That isn't an equation; it is just an expression. Perhaps you mean find the roots of it or solve the equation x5+ax+b = 0.

Either way you are pretty much out of luck. The quintic equation is not generally solvable although some special cases are. Whether this one is solvable generally or not, I don't know. But if you have a particular equation in mind so you know a and b, you might be able to solve it if you are lucky or you could solve it numerically.
 
The solutions (real and/or complex) of the quintic equation x5+ax+b = 0 are computed thank to a number of methods of numerical calculus.
Analytical solving is solving is possible in case of some particular values of corfficients a and b.
In the general case, the solutions cannot be expressed in terms of a conbination of a finite number of elementary or usal functions. Special functions are necessary : the solutions can be expessed in terms of Jacobi theta function (which is of no use in practice).
 
thank you .
what do you think about this equation : x^6+x^2+x=y
if you believe that it can not be Solvable prove it please .
 
First, would you mind give your precise definition of "Solvable".
 
Also, does the OP have any experience in group theory? To show a certain quintic is unsolvable requires use of Galois Theory.
 
footmath said:
thank you .
what do you think about this equation : x^6+x^2+x=y
if you believe that it can not be Solvable prove it please .

If what you mean by "solveable" is to find the roots, then yes, because that particular polynomial factors.

x6+x2+x = x(x2+x+1)(x3-x2+1)
 


I want inverse of f(x)=x^5+ax+b
 
  • #10


footmath said:
I want inverse of f(x)=x^5+ax+b

If a < 0 the function is not 1-1 and has no single valued inverse. If a > 0, at least it is increasing and has an inverse. But good luck with finding a formula for it.
 
  • #11
I want inverse of f(x)=x^5+ax+b
The solutions (real and/or complex) of the quintic equation x5+ax+b = 0 are computed thank to a number of methods of numerical calculus.
Analytical solving is solving is possible in case of some particular values of corfficients a and b.
In the general case, the solutions cannot be expressed in terms of a conbination of a finite number of elementary or usal functions. Special functions are necessary : the solutions can be expessed in terms of Jacobi theta function (which is of no use in practice).
 
  • #12

Similar threads

Back
Top