Solve x⁴ - 7x³ - 3x² + 55x + 50 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ - 7x³ - 3x² + 55x + 50 = 0 are x = -2, -1, 5, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -2, -1, 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 50, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±5, ±10, ±25, ±50.
- 2
Test the candidates until one gives 0. x = -1 is a root. Divide by (x + 1) with synthetic division; the bottom row is the quotient and a 0 remainder.
- 3
x = -2 is a root. Divide by (x + 2) 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
\[ x^{4} - 7x^{3} - 3x^{2} + 55x + 50 = (x + 2)(x + 1)(x - 5)^{2} = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} - 7x^{3} - 3x^{2} + 55x + 50 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} -1 & 1 & -7 & -3 & 55 & 50 \\ & 0 & -1 & 8 & -5 & -50 \\ \hline & 1 & -8 & 5 & 50 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} -2 & 1 & -8 & 5 & 50 \\ & 0 & -2 & 20 & -50 \\ \hline & 1 & -10 & 25 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - 10x + 25 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5 \]
\[ x^{4} - 7x^{3} - 3x^{2} + 55x + 50 = (x + 2)(x + 1)(x - 5)^{2} \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 96 | no |
| -1 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 7 | 7 |
| Product of the roots | 50 | 50 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ - 7x³ - 3x² + 55x + 50 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ - 7x³ - 3x² + 55x + 50 = 0 are x = -2, -1, 5, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -2, -1, 5).
How do you factor x⁴ - 7x³ - 3x² + 55x + 50?
(x + 2)(x + 1)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
7 (it equals −(-7) by Vieta's formulas).