SOLUTION: I needed to solve this problem and get the solution set: x^4 - 20x^2 + 64 = 0 What I have so far is: w^2 - 20w + 64 = 0 (w - 16)(w - 4) = 0 w - 16 = 0 or w

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Question 57546: I needed to solve this problem and get the solution set:
x^4 - 20x^2 + 64 = 0
What I have so far is:
w^2 - 20w + 64 = 0
(w - 16)(w - 4) = 0
w - 16 = 0 or w - 4 = 0
w = 16 or w = 4
x^2 = 16 or x^2 = 4
x = +/- square root 16 or x = +/- 2
Now I want to know how do I get the proper solution set from my solution. I mean waht is the solution set?
Answer by phillv(13) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It seems that you tried to factor out X^2 from X^4 - 20X^2 + 64=0
However to do this X^2 has to be included in all the terms ie 64X^2.
The difference of squares method can be applied to this equation.
X^4 - 20X^2 + 64= (X^2-16)(X^2-4)=0
X^2=16 X=+/-4
X^2=4 X=+/-2
Sollution set is (-4, -2, 2, 4)

SOLUTION: I needed to solve this problem and get the solution set: x^4 - 20x^2 + 64 = 0 What I have so far is: w^2 - 20w + 64 = 0 (w - 16)(w - 4) = 0 w - 16 = 0 or w - 4 = 0