Ask HN:help with algebraic equation

2 pointspencil15y ago4 comments

any idea on how to solve this equation 2x(4-x)^(-1/2) - (4-x)^1/3 = 0..i could somehow simplify and reach 2x-(4-x)^5/6 = 0.now i don't know what to do

4 comments

4 comments · 3 top-level

Muzza15y ago· 1 in thread

Move one term over to the other side, raise both sides to the power of 6, then multiply by (4 - x)^3. You now have an equation of the fifth degree...

pencilOP15y ago

yes i now have an quintic equation.now i can use any method to solve for 'x'. thank you

snissn15y ago

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=2x(4-x)^(-1/2)+-+(4-x)^...

DoHander15y ago

Since this is a nonlinear equation, I would try to solve it numerically. I don't see much interest in solving this analytically.

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