Cardan’s Method

Step – 01 Transform the given cubic equation in the standard form

3 2
i.e. ax +3 bx +3 cx +d=0 , a ≠ 0 ⋯ (1)
Step – 02 Eliminate the square term by letting z=ax+b ⋯ (2)
then the given equation will take the form
3
z +3 hz+ g=0 ⋯ (3)
Step – 03 Let z= A+ B ⋯ ( 4 )
3 3 3
 z = A + B +3 AB( A + B)
 3 3 3
z = A + B +3 ABz
 z 3−3 ABz−( A 3+ B 3 )=0 ⋯ ( 5 )
Step – 04 Compare eq(3) and (5)
AB=−h ⋯ (6 a)
3 3
A + B =−g ⋯ (6 b)
3
Step – 05 Let α = A ⋯ (7 a)
3
and β=B ⋯ (7 b)
are roots of some quadratic equation
2
i.e. t −( α + β ) t +αβ=0
 t 2−( A3 + B3 ) t+( AB)3=0
2 3
 t + ¿−h =0 ⋯ (8)
Step – 06 Solve eq(8) by quadratic formula to get the values of α and β .
Step – 07 Putting the values α and β in eq(7a) and (7b) to get the values of A and B.
Step – 08 Putting the values A and B in eq(4) to get the values of z .
Step – 09 Putting the values z in eq(2) to get the values of x .
Remark: Choose the values of A and B in such a way that eq(6a) and (6b) are satisfied

EXERCISES (Cardan’s Method)

01. 3 2
x −15 x −33 x+ 847=0 Ans −7 , 11, 11
02. 3 2
x +6 x + 9 x + 4=0 Ans −4 ,−1 ,−1
3
1
12 ,3 ± i √ 3
2
03. x −9 x +42 x−72=0 Ans
2
1
04. 3
x −18 x−35=0 Ans 5 , (−5 ±i √ 3 )
2
05. 3
x +72 x−1720=0 Ans 10 ,−5 ± i7 √ 3
06. 3
x +63 x−316=0 Ans 4 ,−2 ± i5 √ 3
07. 3
x +21 x +342=0 Ans −6 , 3 ±i 4 √ 3
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Ferrari’s Method
Step –01 Transform the given biquadratic equation in the standard form
i.e. ax 4 + 4 bx 3 +6 c x 2+ 4 dx +e=0 , a≠ 0 ⋯ (1)
Step –02 Divide eq(1) by coefficient of x 4 i.e. a
3
4 4b 6c 2 4 d e
 x + x + x+ x+ =0 , ⋯ (2)
a a a a
2
Step –03 Let ( x 2 +lx+m ) =( nx+ p )2 ⋯ (3)
 x 4 +l 2 x 2 +m2 +2 lx 3 +2 m x 2+ 2lmx=n2 x 2 +2 npx+ p 2
 x 4 +2 lx 3 + ( l 2 +2 m−n2 ) x 2+ 2 ( lm−np ) x+ ( m2− p2 )=0 ⋯ (4)
Step –04 comparing coefficients of eq(2) and (4)
2 2 6c 2d 2 2 e
l +2 m−n = lm−np= m −p =
2b a a a
l=
a 2 2 6c 2d 2 2 e
n =l +2 m− np=lm− p =m −
⋮ a a a
(a) ⋮ ⋮ ⋮
(b ) (c ) (d )
Step –05 Squaring both sides of eq( c ) and putting the value of n and p from eq( b ) and ( d ) to get
2 2

( )( )( )
2
6c 2 2 e 2d
l +2 m−
m − = lm− ⋯ (5)
a a a
Step –06 eq(5) is a cubic in m . Solve eq(5) to find m .
Step –07 Put any value of m in eq( b ) and ( d ) to find the values of n and p respectively.
Step –08 Choose values of n and p such that eq(c ) is satisfied.
Step –09 Put the values of l , m, n and p in eq(3).
Step –10 Take square roots on both sides of the equation obtained in Step –09
i.e. x 2+ lx+m=± ( nx + p )
Step –11 Solve the two quadratic equations for x , which is the solution of the given biquadratic
equation

EXERCISES (Ferrari’s Method)

4 3 2
01. x −10 x +35 x −50 x+ 24=0 Ans m=5 ; 1 , 2, 3 , 4
1
02. 4 2
x −3 x −42 x −40=0 Ans m=3 ;−1 , 4 , (−3 ±i √ 31 )
2
4 2
03. x −10 x −20 x−16=0 Ans m=−3 ;−2 , 4 ,−1± i
−1
; ω , ω ,−1 ± √ 3
2
04. 4 3 2
x +3 x + x −2=0 Ans m=
2
05. 4 3 2
x −8 x −12 x +60 x+ 63=0 Ans m=−12 ;−1 ,3 , 3 ± √30
4 3 2
06. x +2 x −7 x −8 x+ 12=0 Ans m=−4 ; 1 , ±2 ,−3
4 2 2
07. x + x +1=0 Ans m=1 ; ± ω , ± ω
1 1
08. 4 3 2
x −2 x −5 x +10 x −3=0 Ans m=−1 ; (−1 ± √13 ) , ( 3 ± √5 )
2 2
 4 3 2
09. x −4 x +20 x −64 x +64=0 Ans m=10 ; 2 , 2 ,± 4 i
10. 4 2
x −2 x +8 x−3=0 Ans m=1 ;−1± √ 2 ,1 ± i √ 2
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