How do you solve x3+4x220x=80?

1 Answer
Nov 28, 2015

Subtract 80 from both sides, then factor by grouping to find:

x=±25 or x=4

Explanation:

First subtract 80 from both sides to get:

x3+4x220x80=0

Factor the left hand side by grouping:

x3+4x220x80

=(x3+4x2)(20x+80)

=x2(x+4)20(x+4)

=(x220)(x+4)

=(x20)(x+20)(x+4)

=(x225)(x+225)(x+4)

=(x25)(x+25)(x+4)

So the roots of x3+4x220x=80 are x=±25 and x=4