Solve x⁴ - 34x² + 225 = 0
The solutions of x⁴ - 34x² + 225 = 0 are x = -5, -3, 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 225, so the candidates are ±1, ±3, ±5, ±9, ±15, ±25, ±45, ±75, ±225.
- 2
Test the candidates until one gives 0. x = 3 is a root. Divide by (x − 3) 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 - 25 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 5
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{4} - 34x^{2} + 225 = (x + 5)(x + 3)(x - 3)(x - 5) = 0 \]
\[ x^{4} - 34x^{2} + 225 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|ccccc} 3 & 1 & 0 & -34 & 0 & 225 \\ & 0 & 3 & 9 & -75 & -225 \\ \hline & 1 & 3 & -25 & -75 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} -3 & 1 & 3 & -25 & -75 \\ & 0 & -3 & 0 & 75 \\ \hline & 1 & 0 & -25 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - 25 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5,\ -5 \]
\[ x^{4} - 34x^{2} + 225 = (x + 5)(x + 3)(x - 3)(x - 5) \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 192 | no |
| -1 | 192 | no |
| 3 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 0 | 0 |
| Product of the roots | 225 | 225 |
Questions
What are the roots of x⁴ - 34x² + 225 = 0?
The solutions of x⁴ - 34x² + 225 = 0 are x = -5, -3, 3, 5.
How do you factor x⁴ - 34x² + 225?
(x + 5)(x + 3)(x − 3)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
0 (it equals −0 by Vieta's formulas).