document.write( "Question 370127: I've been stuck on this problem for a really long time. I'm trying to figure out a problem reducible to a quadratic equation in a step by step method so I can understand how I get from one point to the other. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The problem is: w^4-6w^2-2=0
\n" ); document.write( "I only know this:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "u = w^2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "From my text and all the research I've done, I also know that I would rewrite this problem as:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "u^2 - 6u - 2 = 0\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I have to solve this but it's not factorable which is where I am absolutely stumped. This is an example problem on my homework I'm providing here so I have the answers for that but I just don't know how they got them.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This is the way they worked it out.....\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "u^2-6u-2=0
\n" ); document.write( "they solve for u...but how????\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "they got the answer
\n" ); document.write( "u=3-sqrt11 or u=3+sqrt11\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "then after this the problem needs to be solved for w.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Is there any way you can help and show me in a step by step fashion so I get this? Thank you. LeAnn
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Algebra.Com's Answer #263782 by ewatrrr(24785) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!


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document.write( "Hi,
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document.write( "w^4 - 6u^2 - 2 = 0 
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document.write( "using the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for w^2
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document.write( "w^2 = 3 + 3.317 = 6.317
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document.write( "w = 2.512
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document.write( "w = -2.513
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document.write( "w^2 = 3 - 3.317 = -.317
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document.write( "w = .563*i
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document.write( "w = -.563*i \n" );
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