Chapter 1: Problem 51
\(5-60\) Find all real solutions of the equation. $$ X^{1 / 2}-3 X^{1 / 3}=3 X^{1 / 6}-9 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The real solutions for \(X\) are 729 and 27.
Step by step solution
01
Substitute Variables
To solve the equation \(X^{1 / 2}-3 X^{1 / 3}=3 X^{1 / 6}-9\), let's set \(X^{1/6} = y\). This gives us the substitutions: \(X^{1/2} = y^3\), \(X^{1/3} = y^2\). Substituting into the original equation gives us: \(y^3 - 3y^2 = 3y - 9\).
02
Rearrange Equation
Rearrange the equation \(y^3 - 3y^2 = 3y - 9\) by moving all terms to one side to set it to zero: \(y^3 - 3y^2 - 3y + 9 = 0\).
03
Factor the Equation
Try to factor the cubic equation \(y^3 - 3y^2 - 3y + 9 = 0\). Notice that \(y = 3\) is a root (trial and error or the Rational Root Theorem helps identify this). Factor \((y - 3)\) out. Dividing \(y^3 - 3y^2 - 3y + 9\) by \(y - 3\) gives \((y - 3)(y^2 - 3) = 0\).
04
Solve the Factors for Roots
Set each factor to zero: \(y - 3 = 0\) gives \(y = 3\), and \(y^2 - 3 = 0\) which gives \(y = \sqrt{3}\) and \(y = -\sqrt{3}\). Thus, the possible real roots for \(y\) are \(y = 3, \sqrt{3}, -\sqrt{3}\).
05
Back Substitute to Find \(X\)
Recall that \(y = X^{1/6}\). For \(y = 3\), \(X^{1/6} = 3\), so \(X = 729\). For \(y = \sqrt{3}\), \(X^{1/6} = \sqrt{3}\), so \(X = 27\). For \(y = -\sqrt{3}\), this solution is not valid in the real number system for \(X\) since \(X\) can't be negative.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a powerful tool for simplifying complex equations. In this exercise, we tackle the equation \( X^{1 / 2} - 3 X^{1 / 3} = 3 X^{1 / 6} - 9 \) by substituting \( X^{1/6} = y \). This clever substitution allows us to transform the given expression into an easier polynomial form. Here's how this works:
- Identify substitutable parts: In this equation, the exponents \( 1/2, 1/3, \text{ and } 1/6 \) suggest a common base, which can be paired with \( 1/6 \).
- Substitute with \( y \): Set \( X^{1/6} = y \), so \( X^{1/2} = y^3 \) and \( X^{1/3} = y^2 \). Substituting these back transforms the equation to: \( y^3 - 3y^2 = 3y - 9 \).
Factorization
Factorization is the process of expressing an equation as a product of its factors, and it is vital for finding solutions to polynomial equations. Once we've substituted and rearranged our expression to \( y^3 - 3y^2 - 3y + 9 = 0 \), factorization comes into play.
- Identify roots: Checking potential roots, we find that \( y = 3 \) works, using either trial and error or the Rational Root Theorem as aids.
- Factor the polynomial: We factor out \( (y - 3) \), leaving \( (y^2 - 3) \) as the other factor. This gives us \( (y - 3)(y^2 - 3) = 0 \).
Real Solutions
Finding real solutions means ensuring the solutions belong to the set of real numbers, avoiding complex or imaginary numbers. After factorizing the equation to \( (y - 3)(y^2 - 3) = 0 \), it's time to solve for \( y \).
- The simple root \( y = 3 \) derives steationally from \( y - 3 \).
- The roots \( y = \sqrt{3} \) and \( y = -\sqrt{3} \) come from solving \( y^2 - 3 = 0 \).
- For \( y = 3 \), substitute back to get \( X^{1/6} = 3 \), so \( X = 729 \).
- For \( y = \sqrt{3} \), substitute back to get \( X^{1/6} = \sqrt{3} \), so \( X = 27 \).
- Root \( y = -\sqrt{3} \) is discarded as it implies a negative \( X \) which doesn't yield a real solution for \( X \).