Porisma

A hint to get started

Use a purely imaginary root to factor and transform a quartic

The equation z4−4z3+az2−20z+25=0z^4-4z^3+az^2-20z+25=0, a∈Ra\in\mathbb R, has a root kiki with k∈Rk\in\mathbb R.

(i) Explain clearly why more than one value of kk is possible. mark

(ii) Find the possible exact values of kk, show that a=10a=10, and hence find the roots. marks

(iii) Deduce the roots in Cartesian form of (a) w4+4iw3−10w2−20iw+25=0w^4+4iw^3-10w^2-20iw+25=0 and (b) 25v4−20v3+10v2−4v+1=025v^4-20v^3+10v^2-4v+1=0. marks

[2013/DHS/II/4]

CJC · Review problems · Question 12

Use the imaginary part after substituting ki; then preserve each substitution’s direction.

Read the worked solution