Online Course Discussion Forum

Hello I have question on 7.25 II-A

 
 
Picture of Bober Yang
Hello I have question on 7.25 II-A
by Bober Yang - Friday, July 24, 2020, 10:24 AM
 

So I am already on this step which is x^4-10x^2+x+20=0

and I don't know how to solve it so I just uesed desmos to see what the graph looks like.

however the zero of x is like1.791 which is probably a fraction add on to a sqrt.

so can I get some help please.

 
Picture of John Lensmire
Re: Hello I have question on 7.25 II-A
by John Lensmire - Friday, July 24, 2020, 10:59 AM
 

This problem is probably easiest using the technique we used in 7.5 from class, where we let a common number be a variable.

Here try letting $y = 5$ and see if you can solve for $y$. As in class, we need to be a little careful about what values of $x$ are possible (in the domain). The graph can help for that as well, but try to understand that algebraically as well.

Hope this helps at least get started. Let us know if you have some additional questions.