Factoring Compound Quadratics: \(\, ax^4 + bx^2 + c\)
A compound quadratic is a polynomial that can be expressed in the form \(ax^{2n}+bx^{n}+c\), where \(a \neq 0,b\) and \(c\) are constants, and \(n\) is a positive integer. This can be generalized to compound polynomials, where the degree of the terms is a multiple of some positive integer.
Contents
Method
To solve a compound quadratic equation such as \(ax^{2n}+bx^{n}+c\), one introduces a new variable \(u = x^n\). The equation becomes \(au^2+bu+c = 0\), and we can then solve for \(u\), after which we may solve for \(x\).
In general, it is possible to solve any compound polynomial equation \(f(x) = 0 \), by considering it as a polynomial \( g(u) \) with the substitution \(u = x^n\), if one knows the solutions to \(g(u) = 0\).
Worked Examples
Often, an equation can look difficult to solve, but it can often be quite simple if you can see how to reduce it. A common example, a quartic of the form \(ax^4 + bx^2 + c = 0,\) can be made much simpler by the substitution \(u = x^2.\) So the equation becomes \(au^2+ bu + c = 0,\) a quadratic, which of course is much easier to solve.
For the solution, you can either factor it expicitly \((u-u_1)(u-u_2) = 0,\) where \(u_1\) and \(u_2\) are the solutions (or roots) of the equation, or you can use the quadratic equation
\[u = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}.\]
Here are a few examples:
Solve the equation \(3x^4+12x^2+7 = 0\).
Substitute \(u = x^2 \implies 3u^2 + 12u + 7 = 0.\)
Plugging into the quadratic equation,
\[\begin{align} u &= \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\\\\ &= \frac{-12 \pm \sqrt{12^2 - 4\cdot 3 \cdot 7}}{2\cdot 3}. \end{align}\]
This has two solutions: \(u = -0.7, -3.3\).
Finally, \(b = \sqrt{u},\) so \(b\) has the four purely imaginary roots
\[b = \pm 0.84i,\ \pm 1.81i.\ _\square\]
Solve the equation \(x^8+2x^4+1 = 0\).
First, we need to identify \(n\). Since the LHS is a polynomial in \(x\) as well as \(x^4\), it seems suitable that we choose \(n = 4\). We thus substitute \(u = x^4\), obtaining \(u^2+2u+1 = 0\).
Factoring this equation, we get that \(u^2+2u+1 = (u+1)^2 = 0\); hence, \(u+1 = 0\) and thus \(x^4 = -1\).
As a result, we have \(x = \pm \sqrt{\pm i}\). \(_\square\)
Solve the equation \(x^{15}+x^{10}+x^5+1 = 0\).
Again, we need to identify \(n\). It seems \(n = 5\) is appropriate here, so we substitute \(u = x^5\), obtaining \(u^3+u^2+u+1 = 0\).
We multiply both sides by \(u-1\), and reject \(u = 1\). We therefore get \((u-1)(u^3+u^2+u+1) = u^4-1 = 0\); hence, \(u^4 = 1\) and thus \(x^{20} = 1\).
As a result, we have \(x = e^{k\pi / 10}\), with \(k \in \mathbb{Z}\) and \(4 \nmid k\). (To see how one arrives at the solution set, look up the roots of unity.) \(_\square\)