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Ch. 1 - Equations and Inequalities
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Non è quello che usi tu?Cambia libro di testo
Capitolo 2, Problema 2

Solve each polynomial equation in Exercises 1–10 by factoring and then using the zero-product principle. 5x4−20x2=05x^4 - 20x^2 = 0

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Start by writing the given polynomial equation: \(5x^4 - 20x^2 = 0\).
Factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) from both terms. Identify the GCF of \$5x^4$ and \$20x^2$, which is \$5x^2$. So, factor it out: \(5x^2(x^2 - 4) = 0\).
Recognize that the expression inside the parentheses, \(x^2 - 4\), is a difference of squares. Factor it further as \((x - 2)(x + 2)\), so the equation becomes \(5x^2(x - 2)(x + 2) = 0\).
Apply the zero-product principle, which states that if a product of factors equals zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero. Set each factor equal to zero: \(5x^2 = 0\), \(x - 2 = 0\), and \(x + 2 = 0\).
Solve each equation separately: For \(5x^2 = 0\), divide both sides by 5 and solve for \(x\). For \(x - 2 = 0\), add 2 to both sides. For \(x + 2 = 0\), subtract 2 from both sides. These solutions give the roots of the original polynomial.

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