Solve x⁴ - 12x³ + 53x² - 102x + 72 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ - 12x³ + 53x² - 102x + 72 = 0 are x = 2, 3, 3, 4 (repeated roots counted once each: 2, 3, 4).
How to work it out
- 1
A quartic has up to 4 real roots. The rational root theorem says that any integer root of a polynomial with integer coefficients and leading coefficient 1 divides the constant term 72, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±6, ±8, ±9, ±12, ±18, ±24, ±36, ±72.
- 2
Test the candidates until one gives 0. x = 2 is a root. Divide by (x − 2) with synthetic division; the bottom row is the quotient and a 0 remainder.
- 3
x = 3 is a root. Divide by (x − 3) with synthetic division; the bottom row is the quotient and a 0 remainder.
- 4
What is left is the quadratic x² - 7x + 12 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 5
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{4} - 12x^{3} + 53x^{2} - 102x + 72 = (x - 2)(x - 3)^{2}(x - 4) = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} - 12x^{3} + 53x^{2} - 102x + 72 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} 2 & 1 & -12 & 53 & -102 & 72 \\ & 0 & 2 & -20 & 66 & -72 \\ \hline & 1 & -10 & 33 & -36 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} 3 & 1 & -10 & 33 & -36 \\ & 0 & 3 & -21 & 36 \\ \hline & 1 & -7 & 12 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - 7x + 12 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 4,\ 3 \]
\[ x^{4} - 12x^{3} + 53x^{2} - 102x + 72 = (x - 2)(x - 3)^{2}(x - 4) \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | no |
| -1 | 240 | no |
| 2 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 12 | 12 |
| Product of the roots | 72 | 72 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ - 12x³ + 53x² - 102x + 72 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ - 12x³ + 53x² - 102x + 72 = 0 are x = 2, 3, 3, 4 (repeated roots counted once each: 2, 3, 4).
How do you factor x⁴ - 12x³ + 53x² - 102x + 72?
(x − 2)(x − 3)(x − 4).
What is the sum of the roots?
12 (it equals −(-12) by Vieta's formulas).