/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 78 Solve each equation in the compl... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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Solve each equation in the complex number system. $$ x^{4}+3 x^{2}-4=0 $$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The solutions are \( x = 1 \), \( x = -1 \), \( x = 2i \), and \( x = -2i \).

Step by step solution

01

Introduce a substitution

To simplify the equation, let’s make a substitution. Letting \( y = x^2 \), the original equation \( x^4 + 3x^2 - 4 = 0 \) transforms into a quadratic equation in terms of \( y \): \[ y^2 + 3y - 4 = 0 \]
02

Solve the quadratic equation

Solve the quadratic equation \( y^2 + 3y - 4 = 0 \). We factorize it: Find two numbers that multiply to -4 and add to 3. These numbers are 4 and -1, so the equation becomes \( (y + 4)(y - 1) = 0 \)
03

Find the solutions for y

Set each factor equal to zero and solve for \( y \): \( y + 4 = 0 \) \( y = -4 \) \( y - 1 = 0 \) \( y = 1 \)
04

Reverse the substitution

Recall the substitution \( y = x^2 \). So we have the equations: \( x^2 = -4 \) \( x^2 = 1 \)
05

Solve for x

Solve each equation for \( x \): For \( x^2 = -4 \), \( x = \pm 2i \) since \( i \) is the imaginary unit where \( i^2 = -1 \). For \( x^2 = 1 \), \( x = \pm 1 \)
06

List all solutions

The solutions for \( x \) are: \( x = 1 \), \( x = -1 \), \( x = 2i \), and \( x = -2i \)

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation in a single variable. It can be written in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), where \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are constants and \( a eq 0 \). Quadratic equations appear frequently in algebra and can have two, one, or no real solutions. Sometimes, especially in more complex problems, these solutions turn out to be complex numbers.
Complex Numbers
A complex number is a number that has both a real part and an imaginary part. It is written in the form \( a + bi \), where \( a \) is the real part, and \( bi \) is the imaginary part. The imaginary unit \( i \) is defined by the property \( i^2 = -1 \). Complex numbers extend the concept of one-dimensional number lines to two dimensions by combining real and imaginary parts. This is crucial for solving equations like \( x^2 = -4 \), where no real number \( x \) can satisfy the equation. Thus, we use the concept of an imaginary unit \( i \), so \( x = \pm 2i \).
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a mathematical technique used to simplify complex equations by introducing a new variable. In the given problem, solving \( x^4 + 3x^2 - 4 = 0 \) directly can be complicated. By substituting \( y = x^2 \), the equation becomes \( y^2 + 3y - 4 = 0 \), a simpler quadratic equation. After solving for \( y \), reversing the substitution helps to find the original variable \( x \). This method is especially helpful in breaking down higher-degree polynomials into more manageable quadratic equations.
Factorization
Factorization is the process of breaking down a complex expression into a product of simpler factors. For the quadratic equation \( y^2 + 3y - 4 = 0 \), factorizing involves finding two numbers that multiply to \( -4 \) (the constant term) and add to \( 3 \) (the coefficient of the linear term). These numbers are \( 4 \) and \( -1 \): \( (y + 4)(y - 1) = 0 \). We set each factor to zero to find the values of \( y \). Afterward, we reverse the substitution to find the values of \( x \). Essentially, factorization breaks down the quadratic equation into simpler linear factors to find the solutions efficiently.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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