Solve the quartic equation X^4+X^2-X+1

Unfortunately, the quartic equation X^4 + X^2 - X + 1 cannot be solved exactly using basic algebraic methods. However, it is possible to find approximate solutions using numerical methods such as graphing or using a calculator or computer program.

To solve the quartic equation X^4 + X^2 - X + 1, we can try using the method of factoring or the method of grouping to simplify it.

However, after examining the equation, it appears that no rational roots exist. Therefore, we will use a different technique called the quartic formula to find the roots of the equation.

The quartic formula states that the roots of a general quartic equation of the form Ax^4 + Bx^3 + Cx^2 + Dx + E = 0 can be obtained as follows:

Let's assign the coefficients as:
A = 1
B = 0
C = 1
D = -1
E = 1

Then, the quartic formula states that the roots can be obtained by solving the following equation:

x = ± [(-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac))/2a]^(1/4)

Where:
a = A
b = (8AC - 3B^2) / (8A^2)
c = (B^3 - 4ABC + 8A^2D) / (8A^3)
d = (-3B^4 + 16A^2B^2C - 64A^3BD - 16AC^2 + 16A^4E) / (256A^4)

Now, let's substitute the values into the quartic formula:

a = 1
b = (8 * 1 * 1 - 3 * 0^2) / (8 * 1^2)
b = 1
c = (0^3 - 4 * 1 * 1 * (-1) + 8 * 1^2 * (-1)) / (8 * 1^3)
c = -3
d = (-3 * 0^4 + 16 * 1^2 * 0^2 * 1 - 64 * 1^3 * (-1) * 0 - 16 * 1 * 1^2 + 16 * 1^4 * 1) / (256 * 1^4)
d = 1

Simplifying further:

b = 1
c = -3
d = 1

Now, we can substitute these values back into the quartic formula:

x = ± [(-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac))/2a]^(1/4)
± [(-1 ± √(1 - 4(1)(-3))) / 2(1)]^(1/4)
± [(-1 ± √(1 + 12))]^(1/4)
± [(-1 ± √13)]^(1/4)

Taking the fourth root of ± [(-1 ± √13)], we get four distinct roots for the quartic equation X^4 + X^2 - X + 1:

x₁ = (-1 + √(√13 - 1))^(1/4)
x₂ = (-1 - √(√13 - 1))^(1/4)

x₃ = (-1 + i√(1 + √13))^(1/4)
x₄ = (-1 - i√(1 + √13))^(1/4)

Where i represents the imaginary unit.

To solve the quartic equation X^4 + X^2 - X + 1, we can use the factoring method or the numerical methods such as the graphing method or the quartic formula. Here, let's solve it using the factoring method.

Step 1: Identify any potential rational roots using the rational root theorem. For a quartic equation with the leading coefficient of 1, the potential rational roots will be the factors of the constant term (1 in this case) divided by the factors of the leading coefficient (1 in this case). Since 1 has only two factors (1 and -1), the potential rational roots are ±1.

Step 2: Substitute the potential rational roots into the equation to see if any of them satisfy the equation. Plugging in X = 1 into the equation (X^4 + X^2 - X + 1) yields:

(1)^4 + (1)^2 - (1) + 1 = 1 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 2

Similarly, plugging in X = -1 gives the same result: 2.

Since neither X = 1 nor X = -1 satisfy the equation (X^4 + X^2 - X + 1 = 0), it means that there are no rational roots for this equation.

Step 3: If the equation has no rational roots, we can use numerical methods or approximations to find the roots. In this case, we can use a graphing calculator or computer software to plot the equation and find its zeros.

Alternatively, we can use numerical methods such as the Newton-Raphson method or the bisection method to approximate the roots. However, these methods can be quite complex and involve iterative calculations, so using software or a graphing calculator is typically more efficient.

In conclusion, the quartic equation X^4 + X^2 - X + 1 does not have any rational roots. To find its approximate solutions, we can use a graphing calculator or numerical methods.