Answer:
x = 2 sqrt(3) or x = -2 sqrt(3) or x = sqrt(3) or x = -sqrt(3)
Step-by-step explanation:
Solve for x:
-8 + x^2 + (x^2 - 8)^2 = 20
Expand out terms of the left hand side:
x^4 - 15 x^2 + 56 = 20
Subtract 20 from both sides:
x^4 - 15 x^2 + 36 = 0
Substitute y = x^2:
y^2 - 15 y + 36 = 0
The left hand side factors into a product with two terms:
(y - 12) (y - 3) = 0
Split into two equations:
y - 12 = 0 or y - 3 = 0
Add 12 to both sides:
y = 12 or y - 3 = 0
Substitute back for y = x^2:
x^2 = 12 or y - 3 = 0
Take the square root of both sides:
x = 2 sqrt(3) or x = -2 sqrt(3) or y - 3 = 0
Add 3 to both sides:
x = 2 sqrt(3) or x = -2 sqrt(3) or y = 3
Substitute back for y = x^2:
x = 2 sqrt(3) or x = -2 sqrt(3) or x^2 = 3
Take the square root of both sides:
Answer: x = 2 sqrt(3) or x = -2 sqrt(3) or x = sqrt(3) or x = -sqrt(3)
