Solve x⁴ - 3x³ - 17x² + 39x - 20 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ - 3x³ - 17x² + 39x - 20 = 0 are x = -4, 1, 1, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -4, 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 -20, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±4, ±5, ±10, ±20.
- 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 = 1 is a root. Divide by (x − 1) with synthetic division; the bottom row is the quotient and a 0 remainder.
- 4
What is left is the quadratic x² - x - 20 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 5
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{4} - 3x^{3} - 17x^{2} + 39x - 20 = (x + 4)(x - 1)^{2}(x - 5) = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} - 3x^{3} - 17x^{2} + 39x - 20 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} 1 & 1 & -3 & -17 & 39 & -20 \\ & 0 & 1 & -2 & -19 & 20 \\ \hline & 1 & -2 & -19 & 20 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} 1 & 1 & -2 & -19 & 20 \\ & 0 & 1 & -1 & -20 \\ \hline & 1 & -1 & -20 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - x - 20 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5,\ -4 \]
\[ x^{4} - 3x^{3} - 17x^{2} + 39x - 20 = (x + 4)(x - 1)^{2}(x - 5) \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 3 | 3 |
| Product of the roots | -20 | -20 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ - 3x³ - 17x² + 39x - 20 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ - 3x³ - 17x² + 39x - 20 = 0 are x = -4, 1, 1, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -4, 1, 5).
How do you factor x⁴ - 3x³ - 17x² + 39x - 20?
(x + 4)(x − 1)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
3 (it equals −(-3) by Vieta's formulas).