Solve x⁴ - 15x³ + 81x² - 185x + 150 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ - 15x³ + 81x² - 185x + 150 = 0 are x = 2, 3, 5, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: 2, 3, 5).
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 150, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±3, ±5, ±6, ±10, ±15, ±25, ±30, ±50, ±75, ±150.
- 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 - 10x + 25 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 5
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{4} - 15x^{3} + 81x^{2} - 185x + 150 = (x - 2)(x - 3)(x - 5)^{2} = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} - 15x^{3} + 81x^{2} - 185x + 150 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} 2 & 1 & -15 & 81 & -185 & 150 \\ & 0 & 2 & -26 & 110 & -150 \\ \hline & 1 & -13 & 55 & -75 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} 3 & 1 & -13 & 55 & -75 \\ & 0 & 3 & -30 & 75 \\ \hline & 1 & -10 & 25 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - 10x + 25 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5 \]
\[ x^{4} - 15x^{3} + 81x^{2} - 185x + 150 = (x - 2)(x - 3)(x - 5)^{2} \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32 | no |
| -1 | 432 | no |
| 2 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 15 | 15 |
| Product of the roots | 150 | 150 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ - 15x³ + 81x² - 185x + 150 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ - 15x³ + 81x² - 185x + 150 = 0 are x = 2, 3, 5, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: 2, 3, 5).
How do you factor x⁴ - 15x³ + 81x² - 185x + 150?
(x − 2)(x − 3)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
15 (it equals −(-15) by Vieta's formulas).