UNIT 3 CUBIC AND BIQUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Structure
3.1
32

Introduction
Objectives

Let Us Recall
3.2.1 Linear Equations 3.2.2 Quadratic Equations

33

Cubic Equations
3.2.1 Cardano's Solution 3.3.2 Roots And Their Relation With Coefficients

3.4

Biquadratic Equations
3.4.1 Femri's Solutions 3.4.1 Roots And Their Relation With Coefficients

3.1 INTRODUCTION
In this unit we will look at an aspect of algebra that has exercised the minds of several mathematicians through the ages. We are talking about the solution of polynomial equations over R. The ancient Hindu, Arabic and Babylonian mathematicians had discovered methods of solving linear and quadratic equations. The ancient Babylonians and Greeks had also discovered methods of solving some cubic equations. But, as we have said in unit 2, they had not thought of complex n;lrnbers. So, for them, a lot of quadratic and cubic equations had no solutions.
In the 16th century various Italian mathematicians were looking into the geometrical problem of trisecting an angle by straight edge and compass. In the process they discovered a method for solving the general cubic equation. This method was divulged by Guolamo Cardano, and hence, is named after him. This is the same Cardano who was the first to introduce complex -numbers into algebra. Cardano also publicised a method developed by his contemporary, Ferrari, for solving quartic equations. Later, in the 17th century, the French mathematician Descartes developed another method or solving 4th degree equations.

In this unit we will acquaint you with the solutions due to Cardano, Ferrari and Descartes. But
first we will quickly cover methods for solving linear and quadratic equations. In the process . we will also touch upon some general theory of equations. There are several reasons, apart from a mathematician's natural curiosity, for looking at cubic and biquadratic equations. The material covered in this unit is also usefid for mathematicians, physicists, chemists and social scientists. After going through h e unit, please check to see if you have achieved the following objectives.

Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to solve a linear equation; solve a quadratic equation; apply Cardanio's method for solving a cubic equation;

'

1 '

'

'

apply Ferrali's or Descartes method for solving a quartic equation;

use the relation between roots and the coefficients of a polyr~omial equation for obtaining solutions.

3 2 LET US RECALL .
You may be familiar with expressions ofthe from 2x + 5, -5x2 + -- f i x 3 , 2

+ x 2 + I, etc.

All these expressions are polynomials in one variable with coefficients in P.n general, we !

have the following definitions. Definitions : An expression of the form a, x0 + a; x' +a,x2 +......... a, x" ,where +

n e N and ai E C vi =I

,.....n, is called a polynomial over C in the variable x.

a, a,, .....a,,are called the coefficients of the polynomial. If a, + 0 we say that the degree of the polynomial is n and the leading term is a, xn.While discussingpolynomials we will observe the following conventions. Conventions : We will . i) Write x0 as 1, so that we will write a for a. xO, ii) write x' as x, iii) Write xnlinstead of 1.xn(i.e. when a, = I), ,, iv) omit terms of the type O.xnl.

Thus,the polynomial 2 + 3x2- 9 is 2x0+ 0. x' + 3x2+ (-1) x3.

We usually denote polynomials in x by f (x) ,g (x), etc. If the variable x is understood, then we often write f instead off (x). We denote the degree of a polynomial f (x) by deg f (x) or deg f. Note that the degree off (x) is the highest power of x occurring in f (x). For example, 5 i ) 3x + 6x2+ - ix3 is a polynomial of degree 3, 2 ii 1 x5 is a polynomial of degreee 5, and

i.i) 2 + i ia a polynomial of degree 0,since 2 + i = (2 +i) xo.

Remark 1: Iff (x) and g ( x) are two polynomials, the11

deg (f (4.g (XI)5 deg f (x) + deg g (x) We say that f(x) is a polynomial over R if its coefficientsare real numbers, and f (x) is over Q if over Q as its coefficients are rational numbers. For example, 2x + 3 and x2 + 3 are polynom~als well as R ( of degrees 1 and 2, respectively ). On the other hand & is a polynonlial (of d 0) over R but not over Q. In this course we shall almost always be dealing witti polynomials over R

. ,

Note that any non- zero element of R is a polynomial of degree 0 over R We define the degree of 0 to be Now, if we put a polynomial of degree n equal to zero, we get a polynoraial equation of degree n ,or an nth degree equation.

For exeample,
( i ) 2x + 3 0 is a polynomial eqtlnllon ofdcg! ce 1 and
;

(ii) 3x2 +

J? x - 1 = 0 is a polynon~~.~i cquation of degree 2.

Iff (x) = a, + a, x + .......+ a,, xl' is a polynomial and a E C, we can substitute a for x to get f (a), ( r the value of the polynomial at x = a . Thus, f (a) = a, + a, a t a, a2 t ..........+ a,, an. For example, iff (x) = 2x +3, then f (1) = 2.1 + 3 = 5, f (i) = 2i t 3, and

-3 2 Definition :Let f (x) be a non - zero polynomial, a E C is called a root ( or a zero) off (x) if

since

f(2)

= 0 we say that - is a root o f f (x).

f(a) 0. =

In this case we also say that a is a solutuion (or a root) of the equation f (x)==O. A polynomial equation can have several solutions. For example, the equation x2- 1 = 0 The set of solutions of an equation is called its solutlon set. Thus, the solution set of x2 + 1 = 0 I \ 11,-i}. Another definition that you will need quite often is the following. Detlnition: Two polynomials a. + a, x + ......+ a,, xl' and b, n = m a n d a , = b,, yi=O,1, ......,n.

+ b, x ..... + bn,xnlare called equal if

Thus, two polynomials are equal if they have the same degree and at their corresponding coefficients are equal, Thus. 2x3+ 3 = ax3+ bx2 + cx + d iff a = 2, b = 0, c = 0, d = 3. Let w now take a brief look at polynomials over R whose degrees are 1 or 2 and at their solutions sets. We start with degree 1 equations.

3.2.1 Linear Equations

Consider any poly~lomial + b with a, b E Rand a # 0. We call such a polynomial a linear ax polynomial. If we put it equal to zero, we get a linear equation. Thus,

is the most general form of a linear equation; -b You h o w that this equation has a solution in R, namely, x = -; and that this is the only a solution. Sometimes you may come across equations that don't appear to be linear, but, after sirnplification they become linear. Let us look at some examples. 3p-1 2p Example 1 :Solve -- - = P. (Here we must assume p # 1.) 3 p-1 Solution: At first glance, this equation in p does not appear to be linear. But, through crossmultiplication, we get the following equivalent equation:

Two equations are equivalent if their solution sets are equal.

On simplifying this we get

Solutions of Pulynomlal Equations

3p2 - 4p +1 -

= 3p2

- 3p,
.Thus,, this is the solution set of the equation we

thatis,7p-1 =O. The solution set of this equation is started with.

Example 2 : Suppose I buy two plots of land for total Rs.1,20,000, and then sell them. Also
suppose that I have made a profit of 15% on the first plot and a loss of 14% on the second plot. If my total profit is Rs. 5500, how much did I pay for each piece of land 7

Solutlon :Suppose the first piece of land cost Rs.x Then the second piece cost

Rs.(1,20,000 x). Thus, my profit is Rs. - x and my loss is Rs. - ( 1,20,000 - x).

15 100

10 100

25x- 1,750,000=0 e x = 70,000. Thus, the first piece cost Rs. 70,000 and the second polt cost Rs. 50,000. You may like to try these exercises now.
El)

Solve each of the following equations for the variable indicated. Assume that all denominators are non - zero. a) J (- + a) k
X

x for x where J, k and a are constants.

1 1 1 b) - = -+ - for R, keeping r, and r2 constant. R r1 12 c)

5 C = - (F - 32) for F, keeping C constant. 9

E2) An isosceles triangle has a perimeter of 30 cm. Its equal sides are twice as long as the
third side. Find the lenghs of the three sides.

E3) A student cycles from her home to the study centre in 20 minutes. The return journey is uphill and takes her half an hour. If Ler rate is 8 km per hour slower on the return trip,
how far does she live from the study centre?

E4) Simple interest is directly proportional to the principal amount as well as the time for
which the amount is invested. If Rs. 1000, left at interest for 2 years, earns Rs 110, find the amount of interest earned by Rs. 5000 for 3 years.
(Hint :S = k Pt, where k is the constant of proportionality, S is the simple interest, P is the principal and t is the time.)

Now that we have looked at first degree equations, let us consider second degree equations, that is, equations of degree 2.

3.2.2 Quadratic Equations

Consider the general polynomial in x over R ofdegree 2: ax2+bx+c,wherea,b,c R,a f O . We call this polynomial a quadratic polynomial. On equating polynomial to zero, we get a quadratic equation in standard from. Can you think of an example of a quadratic equation ? One is x2 = 5, Which is the same as
The word 'quadratic' comes from The latin-word
~~~~~~~p

xZ- 5 = 0. Another is the equation Cardano tried to solve, namely, x2- lox + 40 = 0 (see sec. 2.1). We are sure you can think of several others.

Various methods for solving such equations have been known since Babylonian times (2000 B.C.). Brahrnagupta, in 628 A.D. approximtely, also gave a rule for solving quadraratic equations. The method that can be used for any quadratic equation is "completing the square". Using it we get the quadratic formula. Let us state this formula,

Cubk m d Biquadratic Equation

Quadratic Formula :The rolutions of tho quadratic equation

ax2+bx +c = 0, where a, b, c E R and a # 0, are
X

-b

+ J-4rc
2a

The expression b2 4ac is called the dlscrlmlnantof ax2

+ bx + c = 0,

Note that this formula tells us that a quadratic equation has only two roots. These roots may be equal or they may be distinct; they may be real or complex. Convention :We call a root that lies in C\ R a complex root, that is ,a root of the form a + ib, a, b E R, b # 0,is a complex root. Let us consider some examples. Example 3 : Solve

3
ii)

x2-4x+1=0 4x2+25=20x

iii x2-l0x +40=0

Soiutlon :i) This equation is in standard form. So we can apply the quadratic formula immediately. Here a = 1,'b = - 4, c = 1, Substituting these values in the quadratic formula, we get the two roots of the equation to be.
=

+4 2(1)

-4 1 ) ( 1

a -

+fi
2

=2

+ f i and

Thus, the solutions are 2 + 6and 2 - f i ,two distinct elements of R. Note that in this case the discriminant was positive.

ii) In this case let us fust rewrite the equation in standard form as 4x2- 20x+25 -0.
Now, putting a = 4, b = - 20, c = 25 in the quadratic formula, we find that
X

20+ ,/a-4(4)(25)

2 (4)

- 20+& --8

- -, and
2

Here we find that both the roots coincide and are real. Note that in this case the discriminant is 0.

iii) Using the quadratic formula, we find that the solutions are

By a complex root we mean a . root in C \ R

Thus, in this case we get two distinct complex roots 5 Note that in this case the discriminant is negative.

+ i a and 5 - i Jz.

Solutions of Polynomial Equations

In the example above do you see a relationship between the types of roots of a quadratic equation and the value of its discriminant? There is such a relationship, which we now state. The equation ax2+ bx + c = 0, a # 0, a, b, c, E R has two roots. They are i) real and distinct if b2 4ac > 0; ii) real and equal if b2 4ac = 0; iii) complex and distinct if b2 4ac < 0. Now, is there a difference in the character of the roots of ax2+ bx + c = 0 and

dax2+ dbx + dc =0, where d is a non- zero real number ? For example, if b2- 4ac > 0,
what is the sign of (db)2- 4 (&a) (dc) ? It will also be positive. In fact, the character of the roots of equivalent quadratic equations i s the same. Two equations are equivalent ifone is obtained from the other by mllltiplying each term throughout by a non-zero constant. Now let us consider some important remarks which will be useful to you while solving quadratic equations. Remark 2 : a and P are roots of a quadratic equation ax2+ bx + c = 0 if any only if ax2+bx+c=a(x-a)(x-p). Thus, a
E

C is a root of ax2+ bx + c = 0 if and only if (x -a ) I (ax2+bx + c).

Remark 3 : From the quadratic formula you can see that if b2 - 4 ac < 0, then the quadratic equation ax2+ bx + c = 0 has 2 complex roots which are each other's conjugates. Remark 4 : Sometimes a quadratic equation can be solved without resorting to the quadratic formula. For example the equation x2= 9 clearly has 3 and -3 as its roots. Similarly, the equation (x Remark 2).
=0

clearly has two coincident roots, both equal to 1 (see

Using what we have said so far, try and solve the following exercises

E5) A quadratic equation over R can have complex roots while a linear equation over K can
only have a real root. True of falre ? Why ?

E 6) Solve the following equations: a) x 2 + 5 = 0

b) (x+9)(x- l)=O

E 7) For what values of k will the equation kx2+ (2k + 6 ) x + 16 = 0 have coincident roots ? E 8) Show that the quadratic equation ax2+ bx + c = 0 has equal roots if (2ax +b)I(ax +bx+c). E9) Find the values of b and c for which the polynomial x2 + bx + c has 1 + i and 1 - i as its roots. ' ~ 1 0 ) 1 f a a n d ~ a r e r o o t s o f a x ~ + b x + c = 0 , t h e n s h o w t h a t a- -=and a +~ a

I?

-a.

El 1) is the converse of E l 0. We will use it in the next section.

Let us now consider some epuations which are not quadratic, but whose solutions can be obtained from related quadratic equations. Look at the following example. Exanple 4: Solve i) 2x4+xZ+1 =O,and ii) x = $5

Cubii md Biquadratic Equation

- 2x.
-1

Solution :i) 2x4+ x2+ 1 = 0 can be written as 2y2+ y + 1 = 0, where y = x2.Then, solving this for y we get y =

* i J i that is, x
4

-I f i J i ,two polynomials over C. 4

Thus, the four solutions of the original equation are

, =a polynomial equations. We square both sides to obtain the polynomial / is not equation x2 = 15 - 2x. Now, any root of x = , = a root the equation x2 = 15 - 2x. / is also But the converse need not be true, since x2 = 15 - 2x can also mean x = - I . . n So we will obtain the roots of x2= 15 - 2x and see which of these satisfy x = = /. , Now, the roots of the quadratic equation x2 = 15 - 2x are x = - 5 and x = 3. We must put these
ii) x =

values in the original equation to see if they satisfy it. Now, for x = - 5, ~-,/iC%=(-5)-

JETX=<-~>-S=-~O#O.

So x = - 5 is not a solution of the given equation. But it is a solution of x2= 15 2x. We call it an extraneous solution. What happens when we put x = 3 in the given equation ? We get 3 = which is true. Thus, x = 3 is the solution of the given equation.

, = = 3, / i.e., 3

Now you may like to solve the following exercises. Remember that you must check if the solutions you have obtained satisfy the given'equations. This will help you

3
n

to get rid of extraneous solutions, if any, and to ensure that your calculations are alright.

E 12) Reduce the following to quadratic and hence, solve them. a) 4p4- 16p2+5=0 b) (5x2- 6)'14 = x

E 13) Ameena walks 1 km per hour faster than Alka. Both walked from their village to the nearest library, a distance of 24 km.Alka took 2 hours more than ameena. What was Alka's average speed ?
In this section our aim was to help you recall the methods of solving linear and quadratic equations. Let us now see how to solve equations of degree 3.

3.3 CUBIC EQUATIONS

In this section we are going to discuss some mathematics to which the great 1lth century Persian poet Omar Khayyam gave a great deal of thought. He, and Greek mathematicians before him, obtained solutions for third degree equations by considering geometric nlethods

Solutions of Palynomlal Equarlons

that involved the intersections of conics. But we will only discuss algebraic metl~ods of obtaining solutions of such equations, that is, solutions obtained by using the basic algebraic operations and by radicals. Let us fust see what an equation of degree 3, or a cubic equation, is. Definition : An equation of the form.

is the most general form of a cubic equation ( or a thud degree equation) over R For example 2x3 = 0, f i x3+ 5x2= 0, -2x = 5x3 !and x3+ 5x2+ 2x = - 7 are all cubic equations, since each of them can be written in the form ax3+ bx2+ cx + d = 0,with a # 0.On the other hand x4+ 1 = 0,x3+ 2x3= x3 x and x3+

& = 0 are not cubic equations.

There are several situations in which one needs to solve cubic equations. For example, many problems in the social, physical and biological sciences reduce to obtaining the eigenvalues of a 3 x 3 matrix ( which you can study about in the Linear Algebra course). And for this you need to know how to obtain the solutions of a cubic equation. For obtaining solutions of a cubic equation, or any polynomial equation, we need some results about the roots of polynomial equations. We will briefly discuss them one by one. We give the first one without proof. Therorem 1 : The polynomial equation of degree n,
,

+ a, a, + a, x + ........ a, xn= 0,where a,, a ,,........ E R and a,, # 0, has n roots, which are real or non - real complex numbers.
If x,, ......x, are the n roots of the equation in Theorem 1, then

( Note that the roots need not be distinct. For example, 1 + 2x + x2 = ( x + 1 )2)

We will not prove this fact here; but we will now state a very important result which is used in c the proof.

Theorem 2 ( Dlvlrlon algorithm ) : Given polynomials f (x) and g (x) and g (x ) ( # 0 ) over R, 3 Polynomials q (x) and r (x) over R such that
f (x) g (x) q (x) + r (x) and deg r (x) < deg g (x).

We will also use this theorem to prove the following result which tells us something about complex roots, that is, roots that are non- real complex numbers. Theorem 3 : If a polynomial equation over R has complex roots, they occur in pairs. In fact, if a + ib E C is a root, then a - ib C is also a root. Proof : Let f (x) =a, + a,x +.......+ a,, x" be a polynomial over R of degree n. Suppose a + ib E C is a root off (x) = 0,that is, ( x - (a +ib ) ) ( f (x). We want to show that (x - ( a -ib )) I f (x) too.

Also, by the division algorithin, 3 polynomials g (x) and r (x) over R such that
f(x) I g (x) deg f(x) 5 deg g (x) (see Remark 1 ).

f(x)={(x-a)2+b2}g(x)+r(x),wheredeg(r(x))<2. Since x - (a + ib) divide f (x) as well as (x - a)2+ b2, it divided f(x)- ((x - a)2+ b2 ) g(x), that is, r (x). But as deg (r(x)) < 2, therefore, r(x) is linear over R or a constant in R. So (x - (a + ib) ) can only divide r (x) if r (x) = 0 ('; polynomial R has real coefficients)

We find that f ( x ) = { ( ~ - a ) ~ + b ( x)) . g~ Since x - ( a - ib ) divides the right hand side of this equation, it must divide f (x ). Thus, a - ib is a root off ( x ) = 0 also. Note that Theorem 3 does not say that f ( x ) = 0 must have a complex root. It only says that if it has a complex root, then the conjugate of the root is also a root. Why don't you t following exercises now ? In these we are just recalling some facts that you q are already aware of.
E 14 ) How many complex roots can a linear equation over R have ? E 15) Under what circumstances does the quadratic equation over R, x2 + px + q = 0, have complex roots ? If it has complex roots, how many are they and how are they related ?

Cubic and Biquadratic Equatio~~

Now let us look at Theorems 1 and 3 in the context of cubic equations. Consider the general cubic equation over R. ax3+bx2+cx+d=0,af O . Any solution of this is also a solution of

and vice versa. Thus, we can always assume that the most general equation of degree 3 over R is

Theorem 1 says that this equation has 3 roots. Theorem 3 says that either all 3 roots are real or one is real and two are complex. Let us find these roots algebraically.

3.3.1 Cardano's Solution

The algebraic method of solving cubic equations is supposed to be due to the Italian, del Ferro ( 1465 1526 ). But it is called Cardano's method because it became known to people afier the Italian, O h l a m o Cardano, published it in 1545 in ' A n Magna'.

Let us see what the method is. We will first look at aparticular case. Example 5 :Solve 2x3+ 3x2+ 4x + 1 = 0 Solution :We fust remove the second degree term by completing the cube in the following MY-

Flg. 1: Cardnno

1 Put x + - = Y. Then the equation becomes 2 Assume that the solution is y = m + n, where m, n E C. Then.

SoluUon~ Polynornlal Equations of

( m + n ) 3 + - ( m + n)

5 4

1 --=0
4

..........(I)
Let us add a further condition on m and n namely,
...a.

.(2)

1 Then ( 1 )givesusm3+n3= 4' and(2)givesusm3d=

125 - -' 1728

Thus, using El 1, we see that m3 and n3 are roots of

Hence, by the quadratic formula we find that

From Unit 2 ( E 36 ) you know that a and P have real cube roots, say u and v, respectively, Thus, m can take the values u, wu, d u and n can take the values v, wv, w2v. Now, wand 02 non - real complex numbers such that o (d)1. are = Also, from ( 2) we know that mn = - -,a real number. I2
5

Thus,ifm~u,nmustbev;ifm=ou,nmustbedv;ifm=~,nmwtbe v.Hence,the possible values of y are

u+v,wu+dvanddu+ov. To get the three roots of the original equation, we simply put these values of y in the relation

This example has probably given you some idea about Cardano's method for solving a general cubic equation. Let us outline this method for solving the general equation

Then ( 3 ) becomes

P P Now put y = x + - . Then x = y - - ; and the equation becomes 3 3

. . . . . . . . .

---

...

y3

(. $1 (.-:I -

Cubic and Biquadratic Equation

+ (r-$

= 0, that is,

where A = q

P' -- 1a n d B = 2p3E + ,
27

Step 2 : Now let us solve ( 4 ). Let y = a + B be a solution. Putting this value of y in ( 4 ) we get
( a + p ) ] +A(a+p)+B=O w a 3 + 3 a p ( a + p ) + P 3 + A ( a + p ) + B-0 e a 3 + p 3 + ( 3 a p + ~(a+B) + B - 0 ) Now, we choose a and B so that, 3 a a + A = 0. Then we have the two equations

............(5)

A ( a M 3 = (--)3, 3
and from ( 5 ) a 3 + p 3 =-B.

A' that is, a 3p3 = - 27 '

............(7)

Thus ,using E 11, we find that a3 p3are roots of the quadratic equation and

Hence, using the quadratic formula, we find that

- + - = U, say, and
v, say,

Now, from Unit 2 ( E36 ) we know that any complex number has three cube roots. We also know that if y is a cube root, then the three roots are y, w y and d y. Therefore, if a and b denote a cube root each of u and v, respectively, then a can be a, a w or aw2,and can be b, bw or b d . Does this mean that y = a + p can take on 3 values? Note that a and p also satisfy the relations a

P = - - E R. 3

Thus, since w E C, w ' ~ 03 = 1 E R, the only possibilities for y are C, a+b,a w+bw2,aw2+bw.
Step 3 :The 3 solutions of ( 3 ) are given by substituting each of these values of y in the

equation x = y

P - -. 3

So, what we have just shown is that P P P t h e r o o t s o f ~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ + ~ ~ + r -= a a w l + P+d ~ - , a d + p w - - ,~ rea 3 3 3' where o = -1

+ i f i ,a
2

is a cube root of

{:
2p3 27

-- +

,/=I,
Pq 3

a isacuberootof
+

[ - t i = } , A = q , B .= p2 3-

r.

The formula we have obtained is rather a complicated business. A calculator, would certainly ease matters, as you may find while trying the following exercise.

Soludlom of Polynomial Equations

El 6 ) Solve the following cubic equations : a)2x3+3x2+3x+ 1=O b)x3+21x+342=0 c) x 3 + 6 x 2 + 6 x + 8 = 0 d) x3+29x-97-0 e) x3-30x- 133

B' A' In each of the equations in E 16, you must have found that - + 2 0. 4 27

B~ A3 But what happens if - + - < 0 4 27 This case is known as the irreducible case. In this case ( 9 ) tells us that a3and f13are complex numbers of the form a + ib and a ib where b # 0. From Unit 2 you know that if the polar from of a + ib is r ( cos0 + i sin 0) ,then its cube roots are

Similarly, the cube roots of a - i b are

+

r113 (cos

+ 2k x
3

- isin

Hence ,the 3 values of y in ( 4 ) are

zr113ms

+ 2k n , where k
3

All these are real numbers. Thus in this case all the roots of ( 3 ) are real, and are given by

This trigonometric fromof the solutipn is due to Francois Viete (1 550 - 1603 ). Now try an exercise. El7 ) Solve the equation x3-3x + 1 = 0 So far, we have seen that a cubic equation has three roots. We also know that either all the roots are real, or one is real and two are complex conjugates. Can we tell the roots or the character of the roots by just inspecting the coefficients ? We shall answer this question now.

3.3.2 Roots And Their Relation With Coefficients.

In this sub section we shall first look at the cubic analogue of E 10 and E 11. Over there we saw how closely the roots of a quadratic equation are linked with its coficients. The same thing is true' for a cubic equation. Why don't you try and prove the relationship that we give in the following exercise ?

E 18 ) Show that a , P and yare the roots of the cubic equation

ax3 + bx2 + cx + d = 0, a # 0, if and only if

rl13 (ms

0 + 2 k n +isin

2k n), k = 0, 1,2. 3

2k 3

'), k

=0~1~2.

= 0, 1, 2 .

(Hint : Note that the given cubic equation is equivalent to a(x-a)(x-p)(x-y)

=

Cubic and Biquadratic Equation

0.)

The relationship in El8 allows us to solve problems llke the following.

Example 6 : If a,P, yare the roots of the equation

x"7x2+x-5=0 find the equation whose roots are a + b, f4 + y, a + y. Solutlon : By E 18 we know that

Therefore,(a+b)+ (P +y) + ( a + y ) = 2 ( a + b + y ) -14. Also, a +

= 7 - y , P + y =7-a,

y + a =7-P,sothat

= 50, and

( ~ + P ) ( B + Y ) ( ~ + Y ) = ( ~ - YB ) ( 7 - a ) 7- ) ( To evaluate the expression on the right hand side, we can use ( 10 ) or we can use the fact that

Therefore, ( a + P) (P + y) ( a + y) = 2. Now, E 18, ( 1I), (12) and ( 13 ) give us the required equation, which is,

................(13)

x3- 14x2+50x-2-0.
Why don't you try the following exercise now ?

E 19) Find the sum of the cubes of the roots of the equation x3- 6x2+ 1l x - 6 = 0 Hence find the sum of the fourth powers of the roots.
Let us now study the character of the roots of a cubic equation. For this purpose we need to introduce the notion of the discriminant. In the case of a quadratic equation x2+ bx + c = 0, you know that the discriminant is b2 - 4c. Also, if a and P are the two roots of the equation, then a + b = - b, a p = c. Therefore. j Thus, the discriminant = ( a - P )2,where a and 3 are the roots of the quadratic equation. Now consider the general quadratic equation, ax2+ bx + c = 0. Let its roots be a and f3. Then its discriminant is b2- 4ac = a2 ( a - P )2. We use this relationship to define the discriminant of any polynomial equation. Definition :The discriminant of the nth drgree equation

a2(n
n

- I)

n l l i <j l n ( a i - a j ) ,
....., a,,are the roots of the polynomial equation.

where a,

hlu*ons of Polynomial Equations

In particular, if we consider the case n = 3 and a,

= 1, we find that

The discriminant of the cubic x3+ Px2+ qx + r = 0 is

I
27

D=

- ( 2 7 + 4~ ~ ~

~where A = q ) .

p2 - -, B = -- -

Now consider Cardano's mlution of the cubic quation ( 3 ), namely, x3+px2+qx+r=0. The expression under the root sign is

- + - - -,where D is the discriminant. 4 27 108

B~

A3

-D

Now, ( 9 ) tells us $at the sign of the discriminant is closely related to the characters of the roots of the equation. Let us l o ~ at the different possibilities for the roots a, P and y of (3 ). k 1) 2) The roots of (3) are all real and distinct. Then ( a - p )2 (0 - y)2( P - y)2 ,that is D, must be positive. Only one root of ( 3 ) are real. Let this root be a. Then P and y are complex conjugates. : p - y is purely imaginary : (P - y)2 < 0. . . Also, a - p and a - y are conjugates. Therefore, their product is positive. Hance, in this case D < 0. 3)

Supposea=Pandy+a.Sincea-Q=O,D=O.
Also, B # 0. Why ? Because if B = 0 , then A = 0 ( since D = 0 ). ( 2 a + Y )* P But~=Oaq= -, that is a ( a + 2 y ) = 3 3 '
[ Over here we have used the relationship between the roots,

'

since p = - ( a + p + y ) = - ( 2 a + y ) and q = ap + Py On simplifying we get a =y ,a contradiction. Thus, B # 0.

+ ay = a(a+2y)].

So, if exactly two roots of ( 3 ) are equal, then D = 0 and B # 0, and hence, A # 0.
4)

If all the roots of ( 3 ) are equal, then D = 0, B = 0, and hence A = 0. Let us summarise the different possibilities for the character of the roots now. Consider the cubic equation x3 + px2+ qx + r = 0, p, q, r E R, 2p3 Pq andlet B = - - - + 27 3 r and A = q

- -. Then P'
3

B' A3 1) all its roots are real and distinct iff - + - < 0, 4 27 B~ A3 2) exactly one root is real iff - + - > 0, 4 27 B' 3) exactly two roots are equal iff - + - = 0 and B 4 27 In this case all the roots are real.
# 0.

B~ A3 4) all three roots are equal iff - + - = 0 and B = 0. 4 27

You may now like to try the following problems to see if you've understood what we have just discussed.

Cubic and Blquadratlc Equmllon

E20) Under what conditions on the coefficients of ax3+3bx2 + 3 c x + d = O , a # 0, will the equation have complex roots ? E 2 1) Will all the roots of x3= 15x + 126be real ? Why? So far we have introduced you to a method of solving cubic equations and we have studied the solutions in some depth. We shall study them some more in Unit 6, as an application of the cauchy - schwarz inequality. Now let us go on to a discussion of polynomial equations of degree 4.

3.4 BIQUADRATIC EQUATIONS

As in the case of cubic equations, biquadratic equations have been studied for a long time. The ancient Arabs were known to have studied them from a geometrical point of view. In this section we will discuss two algebraic methods of solving such equations. Let us fust see what a biquadratic equatiop is. Definition: An equation of the form a ~ ~ + b x ~ + ~ ~ ~ + d ~ + e = O , w h e r e aE b , c , d ,#0. , Randa e is the most general form of a biquadratic equation ( or a quartic equation, or a fourth degree equation) over R Can you think of examples of quartic equations over R ? What about x4+ 5 = f i x - x2 ? This certainly is a quamc equation, as it is equivalent to x4+ x2 - f i x + 5 = 0. What about

& = x4 + 1 ? This isn't even a polynomial equation. So it can't be a quartic.

Let us now consider various ways in which we can solve an equation of degree 4. In some cases, as you have seen in Example 4, such an equation can be solved by solving related quadratic equations. But most biquadratic equations can't be solved in this manner. Two algebraic methods for obtaining the roots of such equations were developed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Both these methods depend on the solving of a cubic equation. Let us see what they are.

3.4.1 Ferrari's Solution

The first method for solving a biquadratic equation that we will discuss is due to the 16th century Italian mathematician Ferrari, who worked with Cardano. Let us see what the method is with the help of an example. Example 7 :Solve the equation

Solution :We will solve this in several steps. Step 1 :Add the quadratic polynomial ( ax + b )2 = a2x + 2abx + b2 to both sides. We get

Step 2 : Choose a and b in R so that the left hand side of ( 14 ) becomes a perfect square, say ( x2- x + k )2, where k is an unknown. Thus, we need to choose a and b so that

Equating the coefficients of x2, x and the constant term on both sides, we get a2-5=2k+1

.........._...(15)

Solutions of Polynomlrl Equations

(15)+a2=2k+6

This cubic equation is called the resolvent cubic of the given biquadratic equation. We have obtained it by eliminating a and b fromthe equations (15), (16) and( 17 ). We choose any one root of the cubic. One real solution of ( 18 ) is k = - 1. ( It is easy to see this by inspection. Otherwise you can apply Cardano's method.) Then, fiom(l5), (16) ahd(17) we get a2=4,b2=4,ab=-4. a = 2 and b = - 2 (or a = - 2 and b = 2 ) satisfy these equations. We need only one set of values of a and b. Either will do. Let us take a= 2 and b = - 2. Step 3: Put these values of k, a and b in (x2- x + k )2= ( ax + b )2. On taking square roots, we get two quadratic equation, namely, x2-X-l=
f (2x-2),thatis,

x2-3x+ 1=0andx2+x-3=0. Applying the quadratic formula to these equations we get

Does Example 7 give you some idea of the general method developed by Ferrari ? Let us see what it is. We want to solve the general 4th degree equation over R, namely,
~ ~ + ~ ~ ~ + q ~ ~ + r x + s = ~ , ~ , q , r , s , ~ R

..........(19)

The idea is to express this equation as a difference of squares of two polynomials. Then this difference can be split into a product of two quadratic factors, and we can solve the two quadratic equations that we obtain this way. Let us write down the steps involved. Sept 1: Add (ax + b )2 to each side of ( 19 ), where a and b will be chosen so as to make the left hand side a perfect square. So ( 19 ) becomes

~~+px~+(q+a~)x~+(r+2ab)x+s+b~=(ax+b)~ .................(20) Step 2 :We want to choose a and b so that the left hand is a perfect square, say
2 P (x + - x + k12,wherekisanunknown. 2 P . Note that the coefficient of x is necessarily - , since the coefficient of x3 in ( 20 ) is p. So we 2 see that , -,

Comparing coefficients of x2,x and the constant term, we have P -+2k=q+a2,pk=r+2ab,k2=s+b2. 4 Eliminating a and b from these equations, we get the resolvent cubic

8k3-4qk2+2(pr-4s)k+(4qs-p2s-r2)=0.

From Sec. 3.3 you know that this cubic equation has at least one real root, say a.

I
i

Then, we can find a and b in terms of a Step 3 :Our assumption was that

Cubic and Biqurdrrtic Equation

Now, putting k = a and substituting the values of a and b, we get the quadratic equations

P x 2 +(--a)x+(a-b) 2

= 0, and

Then, using the quadratic formula we can obtain the 4 roots of these equations, which will be the roots of ( 20 ), and hence of ( 19 ). The following exercise gives you a chance to try out this method for yourself.

E 22 ) Solve the following equations : a ) x4-3x2-42x-40=O b ) 4x4-20x3+33x2-20x+4=0

c ) x4+12x=5 Let us now consider the other classical method for solving quartic equations.

3.4.2 Descartes' Solution

The second method for obtaining an algebraic solution for a quartic was given by the mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes in 1637. In this method we write the biquadratic polynomial as a product of two quadratic polynomials. Then we solve the resultant quadratic equations to get the 4 roots of the original quartic. Let us consider an example. In fact, let us solve the problem in example 7 by this method. Thus, we want to solve x'-~x'-~x'+ lox-3=0 ............(21)
Step 1 :Remove the cube term. For this we rewrite x4 2x3as

Thus, the given equation becomes

Now, put x - - = Y .We get 2

Step 2 : Write the left hand side of ( 22 ) as product of quadratic polynomials. For this, let us assume that

( Note that the coefficients of y in each of these factors are k and product does not contain any term with y3. )

- k, respectively, since the

Equating coefficients, we get

Solutlona of Polynomial Equations

Eliminating rn and n from these equations we get

k6- 13k"+40k2- 16 = 0. If we put k2 = t, then &is becomes the resolvent cubic

t3- 13t2+40t- 16-0.

This has one real root; in fact, it has a positive real root, because of the following result, that we give without proof. Every polynomial equation, whose leading coefficient is 1 and degree is an odd number, has at least one real root whose sign is opposite to that of its last term. So, using this result, we see that we can expect to get one positive value oft. By trial, we see that t = 4 is a root, that is, kz = 4, that is k = f 2. Any one of these values is sufficient for us, so let us take k = 2. Then, from the equations in ( 23 ) we get

Thus, ( 22 ) is equivalent to

Step 3 : Solve the quadratic equations

9 yZ+2y --=Oandy2-2y4

- =O. 4

By the quadratic formula we get

Y=

-2f

,s and y = -. I 2fJ5
2
2

Step 4 : Put these values in x = y +

to get the h r roots of (2 1). u

Thus, the roots of ( 21 ) are :

Let us write down the steps in this method of solution for the general quartic equation

~ ~ + a ~ ~ + b x ~ + ~ x + d = O , aR , c , d , ~ ,b Step 1 : Reduce the equation to the form x4+qx2+rx+s=0. Step 2: Assume that ~~+~x~+rx+s=(x~+kx+m)(x~-kx+n). Then, on equating coefficients, we get
From these equations we get r m + n = k z + q , n - r n = -.

............(24)
............(25)

Substituting in mn = s, we get

Cubic and Biquadratic Equation

(k3+qk-r)(k3+qk+r)=4sk2,thatis,
k6+2qk4+(q2-4s)k2-$=O,thatis,
e+2qtz+(q2-4s)t-? =0,puttingk2=t. This is a cubic with at least one positive real root. Then, with a known value oft, we can determine the values of k,m and n. So, ( 25 ) is equivalent to (x2+kx+m)(x2-kx+n)=O

Step 3 : Solve the quadratic equations

x2+kx+m=Oandx2-kx+n=O. This will give us the 4 roots of ( 25 ), and hence, the 4 roots of (24 ). Now, why don't you try the following exercises to see if you have grasped Descartes' method ?

E 23 ) Solve the following equations by Descartes' method: a) x4-2x2+8x-3=0

b) x4+8x3+9x2-8x= 10 C) x4-3x2-6x-2=0 d) x4+4x3-7x2-22x+24 =0.

E 24 ) Reduce the equation 2x8+ 5x6- 5x2= 2 to a biquadratic. Hence solve it.

While solving quartic equations you may have realised that the methods that we have discussed appear to be very easy to use; but, in practice, they can become quite cumbersome. This is because Cardano's method for solving a cubic often requires the use of a calculator. Well, so far we have discussed methods of obtaining algebraic solutions for'polynomial equations of degrees 1,2,3 and 4. You may think that we are going to do something similar for quintic equations, that is, equations of degree 5. But, in 1824 the Norwegian algebraist Abel (1802 - 1829 ) published a proof of the following result : There can be no general formula, expressed in explicit algebraic operations on the coefficients of polynomial equation, for the roots of the equation, if the degree of

This result says that polynomial equations of degree > 4 do not have a general algebraic solution. But there are methods that can give us the value of any real root to any required degree of accuracy. We will discuss these methods in our course on Numerical Analysis. There are, of course, special polynomial equations of degree 2 5 that can be solved ( as in E 24.) Let us now look a little closely at the roots of a biquadratic equation. We shall see how they are related to the coefficients of the equation, just as we did in the case of the cubic.

3.4.3 Roots and Their Relation with Coefficients

In the two previous sub-sections we have shown you how to explicitly obtain the 4 roots of a biquadratic equation. Let us go back to Theorems 1 and 3 for a moment. Theorem 1 tells us that a quartic has 4 roots, which may be real or complex. By Theorem 3, the possibilities are

3
ii)

'

all the roots are real, or two are real and two are complex conjugates of each other, or the roots are two pairs of complex conjugates, that is, a + ib, a - ib, c + id, c - id for some a, b, c, d, E R

iii)

Now if r,, r2, r3, r4 are the roots of the quartic ax4+ bx3 + cx2+ dx + e = 0, then

Sollrtions of Polynornlal Equatlons

a~~+b~~+~~~+d~+e=a(x-r,)(x-r~)(x-r~)(x-r~)

Comparing the coefficients, we see that b r, + r 2 + r 3 + r 4= - a

This means that sum of the roots = coeff. is short for coefficient.

coeff. of x3 coeff. of x4 coeff. of x coeff. of x

sum of the product of roots taken two at a time =

c ~ e f f of X~ . coeff. of x0 constant term product of the roots = , that is coeff of xJ coeff. of x4 These four equations constitute a particular case of the following result that relates the roots of a polynomial equation with its coefficients.
Theorem 4 : Let a,...... ,a,, the n roots of the equation be a, x " + a , x n - l +.....+ a n = O , a i R V i =O,l, ..... n , a o #O.Then

sum of the product of roots taken three at a time = -

coeff. of x

Xqa,=a L
n

i,j=l icj

a0

In E 10 and E 18 you have already seen that this result is true for n = 2 and 3. Theorem 4 is very useful in several ways. Let us consider an application in the case n = 4.
Example 8 :If the sum of two roots of the equation

4x4-24x3+31x2+6x-8=0 is zero, find all the roots of the equation.

Solution : Let the roots be a, b, c, d, where a + b = 0.

Cublc and Biquadratic Equation

.............(27)

Finally, abcd = - 2

: (28) a c d = 8 .
Now using E 11, ( 26 ) and ( 29 ) tell us that c and d are roots of x2 - 6x + 8 = 0. thus, by the quadratic formula, c = 2, d = 4. Similarly, a and b are roots of x2 1 1 - - = 0 .'.a =-, 4 2 1 b = -2'

.............(29)

Thus, the roots of the given quartic are

Try the following problems now. E 25 ) Solve the equation x4+ 15x3+70x2+120x+64=0, given that the roots are in G.P., geometrical progression. i.e., (Hint :If four numbers a, b,c, d, are in G. P., then ad = bc.) E 26)

x Show that if the sum of two roots of x4 - px3 + qx2- r + s = 0 ( where p, q, r, s E R )

equals the sum of the other two, then p3 - 4 pq + 8r = 0.

We have touched upon relations between roots and coefficients for n = 2, 3,4. But you can apply Theorem 4 for any n E N. So, in future whenever you need to, you can refer to this theorem and use its result for equations of degree 2 5. Let us now wind up this unit with a summary of what we have done in it.

3.5

SUMMARY

In this unit we have introduced you to the theory of lower degree equations. Specifically, we have covered the following points:
1)

-b The linear equation ax + b = 0 has one root, namely, x = -. a The quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 has 2 roots given by the quadratic fcrmula

2)

3) Every polynomial equation of degree n over R has n roots in C. 4) If a + ib E C is a root of a real polynomial, then so is a - ib. 5) Cardano's method for soIving a cubic equation. 6)
A cubic equation can have :

i) three distinct real roots, or ii) one real root and two complex roots, which are conjugates, or iii) three real roots, of which exactly two are equal, or iv) three real roots, all of which are equal.
7)

Methods due to Ferrari and Descartes for solving a quartic equation. Both these methods require the solving of one cubic and two quadratic equations.

Solutions of Polynomial Equations

8)
9)

A quartic equation can have four real roots, or two real and two complex roots, or 4 complex roots. If the n roots of the nth degree equation a, xn + a, xn-' + .....+ a , P, p2 ......pn, then

x + an= 0, are

That is, the sum of the prodllct of the roots taken k at a time is

As in our other units, we give our solutions and I or answers to the exercises in the unit in the following section. You can go through them if you like. After that please go back to

Section 3.1 and see if you have achieved the objectives.

3.6

SOLUTIONSIANSWERS

E 1) a) This has a solution provided J # k.

E2) Let the third side be x cm. Then the other two sides are each 2x cm long.
Therefore,x+2~+2~=30 *x=6. Thus, the lengths of the sides are 6 cm, 12 cm and 12 cm.

E 3) Let her rate of travel to the study centre be x km per hour. Thus, the distance from her X home to the study centre is - km. While returning, her rate is ( x - 8 ) km I hr. 3 1 X : - (x-8) = - o x = 24. . 2 3 24 Thus, the distance is -km = 8 km. 3

11 WeknowthatllO=kx 1OOOx2*k= -. 200 11 : s = - Pt. . 200 So, the required interest is

- x 500

11 200

x 3, that is, Rs. 825.

E5) True . For example, x2 + 1 = 0 has complex roots. Any linear equation ax + b = 0 over R has -b only one root, namely, - E R a

Cubic and Biquadratic Eqllarion

E6) a)x2=-5 *x = i & and -i&.

b) This is (x (- 9)) ( x 1 ) = 0. Thus, by Remark 2, 9 and 1 are the roots. c) We rewrite the given equation is standard from as

: .

J5+3 JS-3 x = - -. and 2 2

EI) The roots are

The roots will coincide if the discriminant is zero, that is, (2k + 6)2- 64 k = 0. This will happen when k2 10k + 9 = 0, that is, k=lork=9.

* ax2+ bx + c = 0 has coincidentalroots.

E 9) By Remnrk 2, we must have
x2+bx+c=(x-(l+i))(x-( 1-i)) =x2-2x+2 Thus, comparing the coefficients of x' and xo, we get b=-2, c = 2

E 10) a and p are roots of ax2+ bx + c = 0

E 11) Substituting x = a in x2- px + q, we get a 2 - p a +q=a2-(a+$)a+a~=O,sincea+ f3 =paridup =q.

Similarly, f3 is a root of x2- px + q = 0

Solutlens nf Polynomial Equationr

E 12) a) qp4 - 1(jp2

4x2- 1 6 ~ + 5 = 0 . Its roots are 2+-

+ 5 = 0,

Put p2 = X. Then the equation becomes

Jii and 2--. Jii

2 2

These 4 values of p are the required rqots. b)(5x2

I -

6)4 =x.

Every root of this is a root of ox4--5x2+6=0 Put x2= y. Then y2-5y+6=0. Its roots are Y = Nowx2= 3 s 5*,/2 =-=

5fl 2

3, 2.

=JS Or - JS, ~
and

Putting these 4 values of x in the given equation, we find that c) Separating the radicals, we get

JZ are its solutioqs.

Squaring both sides, we get 2x+3=1 + ( x + 1 ) + 2 m

Again squaring both sides, we get x2-2x-300. Substituting these values of x in the given equation, we get ,/---=I, and,/--m=l.

Thus, both x = 3 and x - 1 are roots of the given equation.

E 13) Let Alka's rate be x krn per hour. Then Arneena's is (x + 1) km per hour. 24 The time taken by Ameena of walk to the library = - hours. Thus, the time taken by x+ 1
Alka =
(24

x+l *2

hours.

*x(x+1)==12 *x=-4orx=3.
Since (- 4) can't be the rate, it is an extraneous qulutioc. Thl~s. required spet.4 inust he Lhc 3km per hour.

Cubic and Biquadratic Equatlon

E15) If p2- 4q<0. There will be two such roots, and they will be conjugates. E16) a) 2x3+3x2+3x+1=0

Referring to Cardano's formula, we see that in this case

: .

the roots are

1

1 0-w2 -- - - -- - ,thatis, - 1 w2-w 2' 2 2' 2 2

Here we don't need to apply Step 1 of Cardano's Method, since there is no term containing x2 .Now, with reference to Cardano's formula,

and

p = (-171

- 172)3 = -7.

Thus, the roots of the equation are 1 -7'0-702,02-7w,thatis-6,o-7w2,w2-70. c) x3 + 6x2+ 6x + 8 = 0. He.rep=6,q=6,r=8.

and p = ( - 6 - 2 f i ) '

= -2.243

( We have used a calculator to evaluate

a and p to 3 decimal places.)

Then the required roots are a+p-2,ao+pw2-2,aw?+pw-2 d)x3+29x-97=0. Herep=O,q=29,r=-97.

Then the roots are

-+

p?aw+po2:ao2+po.

solution^ of Polynomlrl Equations

e)x3-30x+ 133=0.

the roots are 7, 2 o 5d,-202 5 0 . E17) x3-3x+l=O. Herep=O,q=-3,r==l.

: .

- - -

.. A=-3,B-1.

So we are in the irreducible case.

Thus, the solutions of the given equation are 2 cos k = O,1,2,that is

2n 8n 14n 2 cos -, 2cos -, Cos -. 9 9 9

E 18) a , $, yare the roots iff

ax3+bx2+cx+d=a(x-a)(x-$)(x-y)

=a{x3-(a+p+y)x2+(ap+&+ay)x+apy)

On comparing coefficients, we get

E 19) Let the roots be a,B, y

Then a+B+y-6, a P + ~ + u y - l l ,a h - 6 .

; ~ ~ + $ ~ + ? = ( a + p + y ) ~ - 2 +$y+ay) . (a$
= 36-22=14.

: .

a 3 + p 3 + f = - 18

Now, each of a , p, y satisfy x3-6x2+ 11~-6=0.

Thus, they will satisfy x4- 6x3+ 1lx2 6x = O also.

. :

Cubic and Biquadratic Equation

a4-6a3 + l l a 2 - 6 a = O
4

p4-6p3+ 11p2-6p=O y-6++11f?-6y=O. Adding these equations, we get

( a 4 + p 4 + y ) - 6 (a3+B3+y3)+ 11( a 2 +p2+f?)-6(a+p+y)=O 3 a 4 + p 4 + y = 6 (- 18)-Il(14) +6(6)=-226

Therefore, the equation has complex roots if

B~ - + - > 0, that is,

+

4 27 (2b3 -3abc 4a

+ a2d)'

(ac- b2)l > 0,that is, a6

Thus, the equation has 1 real and 2 complex roots. E22) a) x4-3x2-42x-40=0. Adding (ax + b)2 to both sides, we get x4+ (a2-3) x2+ ( 2 a b - 4 2 ) ~ + b ~ - 4 0 = ( a x + b ) ~ Assume that the left hand side is ( x2 + k )2.
( Note that the coefficient of x in the given equation is 0.)

Thenx4+(a2-3)x2+(2ab-42)x+b2-40=x4+k2+2kx2
Comparing coefficients, we get a2-3=2k

p=2k+3

Eliminating a and b we get

(21)2=(2k+3)(k2+40)=2k3+3k2+80k+120

: 2k3+ 3k2+ 80k- 321 =O. .

3 is a root of this equation. With this value of k we get a2=9,b2=49,ab=21. These equations are satisfied by a = 3, b = 7.

Thus, solving the given quartic reduces to solving the following quadratic equations:

Thus, the required roots are 4,

- 1 and

- 3 f i f i 2

Solutions of Polynomial Equations

b) The given equation is equivalent to

33 x4-5x 3 + -x4 4
One real root is 1.

-5x +1 = o

'The resolvent cubic is 8k3- 33k2+ 42 - 17 0. With this value of k, we fmd that a=O,b=O.

Thus, the given equation becomes

Therefore, the given equation has the roots 2, - , 2,-, that is, two pairs of equal roots. 2 2
A real root is k = 2.
1 1

Then, solving the given equation reduces to solving ( x 2 + 2 ) = *(2x-3),thatis x2-2x+5=0andx2+2x - 1=0.

Thus,the required roots are

2iJ4-20 -2fJ4+4 and , that is, 2 2 1+2i,1-2i,-1+ J Z , - 1 - J Z . E23) a) x4-2x2+8x-3=0. Since there is no x term, we don't need to apply Step 1. Now assume
x4-2x2+8x-3=(x2+kx+m)(x2-kx+n).

Thenm+n-k2=-2, k(n-m)=8,mn=-3. Thus, eliminating m and n we get k6-4k"+ 1@-64=0. k2 = 4 is a root of this cubic in k2. Thus, k = 2 is a solution. For this value of k, we get n = 3, m = -1 Thus, the roots of the given equation are the roots of x2+ 2x - 1 = 0 and

b)

This equation can be rewritten as (x+2I4- 15x2-40x-26=0. Putting x + 2 = y, we get y4- 15y2+20y-6=0. Then the cubic in k2 is k6- 30k" + 249k2- 400 = 0, that is.

6 - 30t2+ 249k2- 400 = 0, putting k2= t. '

One real positive root is t = 16. So we can take k =4. Then we need to solve the quadratic equations y2-4y+3 - 0 andy2+4y-2=O Thus,y=3,1,-2f$ Thus, the roots of the given equation are ( y - 2 ), that is, 1, - 1, - 4 f$

C)

x4-3x2-6x-2=0. The cubic in k2 is k6- 6k4 + 17k2- 36 = 0. k2= 4 is a root. So we can take k = 2. Then we need to solve the equations. x2+2x+2=o,x2-2x-1=0,
x=-1 *i,l*&.

Cubic and Biquadratic E q ~ ~ a t i o ~ i

d)

1,2,-3,-4.

E 24) Putting x' = y in the equation, we get 2y4+5y3-5y-2=0.

Then, by either Ferrari's or Descartes' method, we can find the four values of y, which are
1, - I, -2,
-. 1

Putting these values in x2 = y, and solving, we get the 8 roots of the given equation. Thus ,the required roots are
f

h,f G,f a, f

E
-.,

that is,

1, - ~ , i , - i , i A -i&,

1 -i -, -.

h JZ
..........(30)

E25) Let the roots be a, b, c, d. Then ad = bc. Now, we know that i) a + b + c + d = - I 5 * ( a + d ) + ( b + c ) = - 1 5 ii) a b + a c + a d + b c + b d + c d = 7 0

* (a+d) (b+c)+ad+bc=70
iii) abc + abd + acd + bcd = - 120
iv j abcd = 64

..........(31) ..........(32)
=-I20

Now,(32j * a d ( b + c ) + $ c ( a + d ) = - 1 2 0 * a d ( a + b + c t d ) *-15ad--120 *ad=S.Thus,ad=8=bc. Then(31) ( a + d ) ( b + c ) = 7 0 - 1 6 = 5 4 .

This, with (30) tells us that a + d and b + c are roots of x2+ 15x + 54 = 0. Thus ,by the quadratic formula,

Then, ad = 8 and bc = 8 tell us that a and dare zeros of x2+ 6x + 8 = 0, and b and c are zeros of x2 + 9x + 8 = 0.

'

i
i

E26) Let the roots be a, b, c, d, where a+b=c+d.

We know that

ab(c+d) +(a+b)cd=r abcd = s

Solutions of Polynomial Equations

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES
This section is optional

We have listed some problems related to the material covered in this block. You may like to do them to get more practice in solving problems. We have also given our solutions to these questions, because you may like to counter check your answers.

1)

Let 1, o and 53 be the cube roots of unity. Evaluate a) (1 -a + d ) (1 + o - a 2 ) b) (1-0) ( 1 - 0 ~ )(1-04 ) (1-as)

2)

Give the equations, in standard form, whose roots are

3)

For what value of m ( # -1 ) will the equation

8~=

x2-bx

m-1

have roots equal in

magnitude but opposite in sign ? Here a, b E R and a + b # Q.

4)

Solve

5)

x4 + 9x3 + 12x2 ~ O X 192 = 0 has a pair of equal roots. Obtain all its roots. If a, b, c are the roots of x3 px2 + r 5 0, find the equation whose roots are

6)

7) Solve x4- 4x2+ 8x + 35 0, given that one root ir 2 + 8) From the cubic whore rootr are a, b, c, where a+b+c=3,
a2+ b2 + c2= 5, and a3+b3+c3=11. Hence evaluate a4+ b4 + c4. 9) x4-5x3+7x2-17x+11=0.
( Hint: Write the equation as an equation in ( x - 4 ).)
.

Find the equation whose roots are 4 less in value then the roots of

10) From the polynomial equation over R of lowest degree which is satisfiedby 1 i and 3 + 2i. Is it unique ?

( Hint :Note that in this equation the coefficients of XI and x4 - r are the same "r = 0, 1,2,3,4,. So we can divide throughout by x2 and then write the equation as a

1 quadratic in x + - = Y say. Now solve for y, and then for x.)

X

Solutions of Polynomial Equations

If you are interested in doing more exercises on the material covered in this block, please refer to the book 'Higher Algebra' by Hall and Knight. A copy is available in your study centre.

Solutions
1) a) W e k n o w t h a t l + o + d - 0 1 : : 1- o + d = - 2 o a n d 1+ a - d = - 2 0 2 . . : ( 1 - ~ + d )( I + @ + & ) =(-20) ( - 2 a 2 ) = 4 o 3 = 4 , . since 0' b)
= 1.

(1-0)(1 - d ) ( l -w4)(1 -0') = (1 - o ) ~ - d ) 2 , since m3 = 1. (1 =(1-20+0+)(1 -2w2+w4) = (-30) (-303 =9

C) 0, since 1 - 03- 0.
2) a ) The equation is

e ( X - 2 ) (2x+3) ( x - 9 ) = 0 e2x3- 19x2 +3x + 54 = 0, in standard form.

3)

The equation is equivalent to ( 1 + m ) x 2 + { ( a - b ) - m ( a + b ) ) x+(m- 1 ) c = 0 . The roots are equal in magnitude and opposite in sign iff their sum is zero.

: .
4)

(a-b)-m(a+b)=O,thatis, a-b a+b

m=-

Let y =

,/: :

Than the given equation i equivalent m .

3 b2+6a2 2y+-= , that is, Y ab

b 3a Its roots are -, 2a b Thus, the roots of the given equation are

(&$1
B) Put y =

and

(4

t)

b2 , that is. -and 4a

9a3 b

f i .Then our equation in y is

.'.y = 1 ; Jz.-1 .
5)

x = 0 is the required root Let its roots be a, a, b, c. Then, the relations between the roots and the coefficients are 2a+b+c=-9

82

a2+2ab+2ac+bc=12 a2b+a2c+2abc=80 a2bc = 192 Using ( 1), (2) and ( 3 ), we get 4a3+ 27a2+ 24a = 80. a = - 4 is a solution. Then(l)+b+c=-l,and(4) Thus, b and c are roots of x2+x-12=0. +bc=-12.

Miscellaneous Exrrcises

: b = 3 , c = -4. .

I
6)

Thus, the roots are - 4, - 4, - 4,3. We know that a+b+c=p

abc = r b+c NOW, a c+a a --- + -+-=+ b c b bc(p-a)+ac (p-b)+ab(p-c) , using (5) abc

a3 + b 3 +c3 abc Now, a, b, and c satisfy x3 px2 + r .- 0.

using (6).

Thus, on substituting each of a, b and c in this equation, and summing up, we get a3+b3+~3-p(aZ+b2+~2)t~3r=0.
: ,

a 3 + b 3 + c 3 = p{ ( a + b + ~ ) ~ - 2 ( a b + a c + b c ) } - 3 r =p3-3r

Also

(e))(q) (y
=

- - using (6) and (7) r

9

=-1

IJsing ( 8 ), ( 9 ) and ( 10 ), we see that the required equation is

2+i

fi

is one root. So another must be 2 - i

fi.

Thus,(x2-4x+7)((x4-4x2+8x+35).

By long division, or by inspection, we see that

x4-4x2+8x+35=(x2-4x+7)(x2+4x+5).

Thus the other two roots of the given equation are those of x2 + 4x + 5 = 0,that is -2 * i .

Now,a2+b2+~2=(a+b+c)2-2(ab+ac+bc)

Solutloas of Polynomial eguatlona

; abc - - . . 2 3
Thuc a, b, c are the roots of 2 . xs - 3x2+ 2x - - PO, that is, 3 3x3-99i-6~ -2-0. Thus a, b and c satisfy this equation, as well as, 3x4 9x3+ 6x2- 2 ~ - 0 . 3(a4+b4+c4)-9(a3+b3+c3+6(a2+bZ+c2)-2(a+b+c)=0 ) +a4+b4+c4=25. Put y = x 4, that is, x = y + 4 in the given equation. Then the equation that we get in y will be the required equation. Thus, the required equation is (y+4)4-5(y+4)3+7(y+4)2- 17(y+4)+11=0

.;

9)

w)r+lly' +43y2+55y-9=0 ,lo) If 1 - i is a root, so must. 1 + i be. Similarly, 3 + 2 i and 3 - 2i are roots of the equation. Thus, the equation of lowest degree is the quartic [ x - ( 1 - i ) ] [x-(l+i)][x-(3+2i)l[x-(3-2i)]=O,thatis, x4- 8xs +27x2-38~+26.=0. This is unique, up to equivalence .That is, any other polynomial equation that satisfies our requirements must be equivalent to this equation. 11) x4+9x3+16x2+9x+1=0

o x

( 2

+ - + 9 x + - + 16 = 0,by dividing throughout by x2.

x ):

Putting x +

1 - = t, wo got
X

Thur, wo got two equations in x,namoly

x2+2x+ 1=Oandx2+7x+ 1= O On solving these quadratic equations, we get the four solutions of the original equation, which are 1,1, -7f 445 2

APPENDIX: SOME MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF PROOF

To be able to do any mathematical study, you need to know the language of mathematics. In this appendix we shall introduce you to some symbols and their meaning. We shall also briefly discuss some paths that you will often take to reach conclusions.

Symbols
1)
Implication (denoted by a):We say that a statement A implies a statement B if B follows f o k rm

We write this as the compound statement, 'A a B' or of A, then B'. For example, consider A and B; where A :Triangles ABC and DEF are congruent. B: Triangles ABC and DEF have the same area. ThenA-B In this case 'A a B' is a true statement. Another way of saying A

* B is that 'A only if B', or that 'A is sumclent for B'.

The converse of the satement 'if A, then B' is the statement 'if B, then A', that is, B a A (which is the same as A e B ). For example, the converse of (1) is 'if two triangles have the same area, then they are congruent.' While studying geometry you must have proved that this statement is false. ( For cm. have the example, the right -angled triangles with sides 2,3, f i cm., and 1,6, same area; but they are incongruent. ) Thus, (1) is true, but its converse is not.

J37

Another way of saying A e B is that 'A is necessary for B'. 2) Two way lmplicatlon (denoted by w): Sometimeswe find two statementsA andB for which A B and B a A. In this situation we save space and write A w B. This statement is the same as:

'A is equivalent to B' ;or 'A if and only if B', which we abbreviate to 'A iff B', or 'A is necessary and sufficient for B'. For example, let A:x+2=3and B:x=l. Then A a B and B a A. Therefore, A w B. Note that for the composite statement 'A iff B' to be true, both A a B and B a A should be true. Hence the statement. 'Two triangles are congruent iff they have the same area' is a false statement.

3)

For all / for every (denoted by t, ) :Sometimes a statehent involving a variable x, say P ( x), is true for every value that x takes. We write this statement as :

' v xP(x)or'P(x) v x',

meaning that P ( x ) is a true statement for every value of x. For example. let P (x )be the statement ' x > 0'. There exist /there exists (denoted by 3) : If a statement depending on a variable x, say

4)

P ( x ), is true for some value of x, then we write

3xsuchthatP(x). This says that there is some x for which P ( x ) is true.

Solutions of ?oIynomiaI Equations

For example, 3 x E R such that x - 3 = 2. Now, consider the two statements

QXE

R 3 y e Rsuchthat x=2y,and

........(3)

Is there a difference in them ? What does ( 3 ) mean ? It means that for any real number x, we can find a real number y for which x = 2y.

In fact, y

- I.
X

servos the purpose.

Now look at ( 4 ). It says that there is some real number y such that whatever real number x we take, x = 2y is true. This is clearly a false statement. This shows that we have to be very careful when dealing with mathematical symbols. So far we have looked at the meaning and use of some common logical symbols. Let us now consider some common tef hniques of proof.

Methods of proof
In any mathematical theory, we assume certain facts called axioms. Using these axioms, we arrive at certain results ( theorems ) by a sequence of logical deductions. Each such sequence forms a proof of a theorem. We can give proofs in several ways. 1) Direct proof : A direct proof, or step in a proof, takes the following form: A is true and the statement 'A For example, ABC is equilateral and ( If a triangle is equilateral, then it is an isosceles triangle.), therefore, ABC is an isosceles triangle. One kind of result that you will often meet in this course and other methematics courses is a theorem that asserts the equivalence of a number of statements, say A, B, C. We can provethisbyprovingA*B,B=~sA,A*C,C*AandB*C,C* B.But,if A 3 B and B 3 C are both true, then so is A C. So, a shorter proof could consist of thestepsA*B,B*C,C*A.WewritethisinshortasA*B* C-A.

* B' is true, therefore B is true.

Or, the proof could be A C B A. Thus the order doesn't matter, as long as the path brings us back to the starting point, and all the satements are covered.

* *

Whenever you meet such a result in our course, we shall indicate the path we shall follow.
2j

Contrapositive Proof :This is an indirect method of proof. It uses the fact that ' A B' is equivalent to its contrapositive, namely, 'not B not A', that is, if B does not hold, then A does not hold.

(For example, x = - 2 x2 # 4 *x #-2.)

* x2= 4 is equivalent to its contrapositive, *

Sometimes, it is easier to prove the contrapositive of a given result. In such situations B', we we use this method of proof. So, how does this method work ? To prove ' A prove 'not B not A', that is, we assume that B does not hold, and then, through a sequence of logical steps, we conclude that A does not hold.

Let us look at an example. Suppose we want to prove that ' If two triangles are not similar, then they are not congruent'. We prove its contrapositive, namely, ' If two triangles are congruent, then they are similar', which is easy to prove. 3) Proof by contradiction: This method is.also called reductio and absurdurn, a Latin phrase. In this method, to prove that a statement A is true, we start by assuming that A is false. Then by logical steps we amve at a known falseptatement. So we reach a contradiction. Thus, we are forced to conclude that A cannot be false. Hence, A is true. For example, to prove that Then

f i t Q, we start by assuming that f i E Q. z

forsomep,q~Z,qO,and(p,q)=l. i

Appendix : Some Mathematical Symbols and Teehniquec of Proof

Letpa2m Then 2q2 *p2 = 4m2.

q2 .=2m2 a 2 1 q232 1 q. Thus 2/p and 2/q and hence 2/(p, q), which is not possible because we assumed that ( p, q ) = 1.

Thus, we arrive at a contradiction. Hence, we conclude that

fi

Q.

Proof by counter-example: Consider a statement P ( x ) depending on a variable x. Suppose we want to disprove it, that is, prove that is false. One way is to produce an x for which p ( x ) is false. Such an x is called a counter-example to P ( x ). For example, let P ( x) be the statment 'Every natural number is a product of distinct primes' Then x = 4 is a counter- example ,since 4 E N and 4 = 2 x 2 is not a product of distinct primes. Jn fact. we have several counter- examples in this case. This is not always the best method for disproving a statement. For example, suppose you want to check the truth of the statement 'Given a, b, c E Z, 3 n E Z such that an2 + bn + c is not a prime number'. If you try to look for counter- examples, then you're in trouble because you will have to find infinitely many - one for each triple ( a, b, c) E R3. SO,why not try a direct proof, as the one below. Proof :For fixed a, b, c E Z ,take any n E Z and let an2+ bn + c = t. T h e n a ( n + t ~ ~ + b ( n + t ) + c = t ( 2 a n + b + a t1),whichisapropermultipleoft. + Thus our statement is true.