Solve x⁴ + 4x³ - 21x² - 100x - 100 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ + 4x³ - 21x² - 100x - 100 = 0 are x = -5, -2, -2, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -5, -2, 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 -100, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±4, ±5, ±10, ±20, ±25, ±50, ±100.
- 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 = -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 - 25 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 5
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{4} + 4x^{3} - 21x^{2} - 100x - 100 = (x + 5)(x + 2)^{2}(x - 5) = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} + 4x^{3} - 21x^{2} - 100x - 100 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} -2 & 1 & 4 & -21 & -100 & -100 \\ & 0 & -2 & -4 & 50 & 100 \\ \hline & 1 & 2 & -25 & -50 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} -2 & 1 & 2 & -25 & -50 \\ & 0 & -2 & 0 & 50 \\ \hline & 1 & 0 & -25 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - 25 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5,\ -5 \]
\[ x^{4} + 4x^{3} - 21x^{2} - 100x - 100 = (x + 5)(x + 2)^{2}(x - 5) \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -216 | no |
| -1 | -24 | no |
| 2 | -336 | no |
| -2 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | -4 | -4 |
| Product of the roots | -100 | -100 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ + 4x³ - 21x² - 100x - 100 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ + 4x³ - 21x² - 100x - 100 = 0 are x = -5, -2, -2, 5 (repeated roots counted once each: -5, -2, 5).
How do you factor x⁴ + 4x³ - 21x² - 100x - 100?
(x + 5)(x + 2)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
-4 (it equals −4 by Vieta's formulas).