How do you solve $a^4 + 2a^3 + a^2=0$ ?

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Answer 1 · 2016-04-07T10:12:30

$a = 0$ or $a = -1$

By factoring:

$a^4+2a^3+a^2 = 0$

$=> a^2(a^2+2a+1) = 0$

$=> a^2(a+1)^2 = 0$

$=> a^2 = 0$ or $(a+1)^2 = 0$

$=> a = 0$ or $a+1 = 0$

$:. a = 0$ or $a = -1$

How do you solve a^4 + 2a^3 + a^2=0a^4 + 2a^3 + a^2=0?