Solving Equation: x^5 + k^2x = 0

  • Thread starter Atomised
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In summary, this person was asked to solve an equation and apparently got stuck. They were then told about the different solutions that can be had and were taught how to think properly.
  • #1
Atomised
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Homework Statement



I am asked to solve the following equation, giving answer in terms of k

Homework Equations



$$x^5 + k^2x = 0$$

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is apparently 0. What is 0. Not even sure what that means.

I would have thought: divide through by x to obtain

$$k^2 = -x^4$$ →

$$ k=x^2i $$ ?
 
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  • #2
You solved for k. I think you were supposed to solve for x.

I agree with you that there is more than one root.
 
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  • #3
Atomised said:

Homework Statement



I am asked to solve the following equation, giving answer in terms of k

Homework Equations



$$x^5 + k^2x = 0$$

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is apparently 0. What is 0. Not even sure what that means.

I would have thought: divide through by x to obtain

$$k^2 = -x^4$$ →

$$ k=x^2i $$ ?
Dividing both sides of an equation by anything except zero, gives you an equivalent equation.

You can divide by x, as long as it's not equal to zero.
What if x is zero?

Evaluate that case another way, for instance, by plugging zero in for x.​
 
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  • #4
Atomised said:

Homework Statement



I am asked to solve the following equation, giving answer in terms of k

Homework Equations



$$x^5 + k^2x = 0$$

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is apparently 0. What is 0. Not even sure what that means.
The "answer" is not zero. Your answer should be in the form of equations that start with "x = ..."

One of the solutions is x = 0, but there is another. Factoring the left side would be helpful.
 
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  • #5
Atomised said:

Homework Statement



I am asked to solve the following equation, giving answer in terms of k

Homework Equations



$$x^5 + k^2x = 0$$

The Attempt at a Solution



The answer is apparently 0. What is 0. Not even sure what that means.

I would have thought: divide through by x to obtain

$$k^2 = -x^4$$ →

$$ k=x^2i $$ ?

You have committed the worst sin in mathematics, viz., dividing by x before checking that it is allowed. If x = 0 you cannot do any such division---but in that case, you don't need to anyway. If x ≠ 0 then---and only then---can you divide both sides by x.
 
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  • #6
Thanks Mark & Ray for these lessons - a great help in learning to think properly.
 

1. What is the general approach to solving equations?

The general approach to solving equations is to isolate the variable on one side of the equation and solve for its value. This is typically done by using mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, to both sides of the equation until the variable is isolated.

2. How do I solve equations with exponents?

To solve equations with exponents, you can use the properties of exponents, such as the power rule and the product rule. You can also simplify the equation by factoring out common factors and then solving for the variable.

3. What is the difference between an equation and an expression?

An equation is a mathematical statement that shows the equality of two expressions, while an expression is a combination of numbers, variables, and mathematical operations. In other words, an equation has an equal sign, and an expression does not.

4. What is the degree of an equation?

The degree of an equation is the highest exponent of the variable in the equation. In the equation x^5 + k^2x = 0, the degree is 5.

5. How do I solve equations with multiple variables?

To solve equations with multiple variables, you can use the same general approach as solving equations with one variable. However, you will need to use additional information or equations to solve for each variable separately. You can also use substitution or elimination methods to solve for the variables.

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