Can x be expressed in terms of a?

[wisredz]

Hi,
I have a problem with the following problem. We have to write x in terms of a.

x^2=y+a
y^2=z+a
z^2=x+a

I have done some work but all I got is eighth degree polinomial and there is no easy wayof solving it in terms of a as far as I know. This is what I have

((x^2-a^2)^2-a)^2=x

Any help is appreciated

Cheers,
Can

 

[OlderDan]

Hi,
I have a problem with the following problem. We have to write x in terms of a.

x^2=y+a
y^2=z+a
z^2=x+a

I have done some work but all I got is eighth degree polinomial and there is no easy wayof solving it in terms of a as far as I know. This is what I have

((x^2-a^2)^2-a)^2=x

Any help is appreciated

Cheers,
Can

That does not look quite right

x^2 - a = y
y^2 - a = z
z^2 - a = x

\left( \left[ x^2 - a \right ]^2 - a \right )^2 - a = x \ \ \ \ ?

 

[wisredz]

Ummm, yes that's what I have but it seems I have written it wrong. I should have 8 roots x in terms of a in this case but I can only think of Newton's method to find those. That is not a very good idea actually...

 

[NewScientist]

Nice question,

Think about using quadratic formula with x in terms of z and a.

 

[Zurtex]

Ummm, yes that's what I have but it seems I have written it wrong. I should have 8 roots x in terms of a in this case but I can only think of Newton's method to find those. That is not a very good idea actually...

2 of the roots are simple quadratic roots but the other 6 can not be simplified any further than they are roots of an akward 6th degree polynomial.

 

[wisredz]

Do you mean something like this? English is not my native tongue so I have a little difficulty with mathematical terms. this is what I have now

x^2+x-\sqrt (z+a) -z^2=0