Question

13. f(x) = x^4 - 9x2 -22x - 24

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 4 or x = -2

Step-by-step explanation:

Solve for x over the real numbers:

x^4 - 9 x^2 - 22 x - 24 = 0

The left hand side factors into a product with three terms:

(x - 4) (x + 2) (x^2 + 2 x + 3) = 0

Split into three equations:

x - 4 = 0 or x + 2 = 0 or x^2 + 2 x + 3 = 0

Add 4 to both sides:

x = 4 or x + 2 = 0 or x^2 + 2 x + 3 = 0

Subtract 2 from both sides:

x = 4 or x = -2 or x^2 + 2 x + 3 = 0

Subtract 3 from both sides:

x = 4 or x = -2 or x^2 + 2 x = -3

Add 1 to both sides:

x = 4 or x = -2 or x^2 + 2 x + 1 = -2

Write the left hand side as a square:

x = 4 or x = -2 or (x + 1)^2 = -2

(x + 1)^2 = -2 has no solution since for all x on the real line, (x + 1)^2 >=0 and -2<0:

Answer:  x = 4 or x = -2