We are given the polynomial equation
x4−x3−8x2+2x+12=0 with roots
α,β,γ, and
δ. It is known that the sum of two of the roots,
α and
β, is zero, i.e.,
α+β=0.
From Vieta's formulas, the sum of all roots is:
S1=α+β+γ+δ=1Given
α+β=0, we find:
γ+δ=1Similarly, from Vieta's formulas, the sum of the products of the roots taken two at a time is:
S2=αβ+αγ+αδ+βγ+βδ+γδ=−8Using
α+β=0, simplify to:
αβ+γδ=−8From the sum of the products of the roots taken three at a time, we have:
S3=αβγ+αβδ+αγδ+βγδ=−2Substitute
(α+β)γδ+αβ(γ+δ)=−2 and rearrange:
αβ=−2From Vieta's formulas, the product of the roots is given by:
S4=αβγδ=12Use
αβ=−2 to find:
γδ=−6‌‌...(v)Next, solve the system of equations obtained from (ii) and (v):
‌γ+δ=1‌γδ=−6These are the equations for a quadratic:
t2−(γ+δ)t+γδ=0⟹t2−t−6=0Solving, we find the roots to be:
t=‌=‌Thus,
t=3 or
t=−2. Since
γ>δ, we assign
γ=3 and
δ=−2.
Finally, compute:
3γ+2δ=3×3+2×(−2)=9−4=5