FM Nov 2023 p11 q03
4180
The quartic equation \(x^4 + bx^3 + cx^2 + dx - 2 = 0\) has roots \(\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \delta\). It is given that
\(\alpha + \beta + \gamma + \delta = 3,\)
\(\alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 + \delta^2 = 5,\)
\(\alpha^{-1} + \beta^{-1} + \gamma^{-1} + \delta^{-1} = 6.\)
(a) Find the values of \(b, c\) and \(d\).
(b) Given also that \(\alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 + \delta^3 = -27\), find the value of \(\alpha^4 + \beta^4 + \gamma^4 + \delta^4\).
Solution
(a) Using Vieta's formulas, we have:
\(b = - (\alpha + \beta + \gamma + \delta) = -3\).
For \(c\), use the formula for the sum of squares:
\(5 = (-3)^2 - 2(\alpha\beta + \alpha\gamma + \alpha\delta + \beta\gamma + \beta\delta + \gamma\delta)\).
Solving gives \(c = 2\).
For \(d\), use the given inverse sum:
\(6 = \frac{\alpha\beta\gamma + \beta\gamma\delta + \gamma\delta\alpha + \delta\alpha\beta}{\alpha\beta\gamma\delta} = \frac{-d}{-2}\).
Solving gives \(d = 12\).
The equation is \(x^4 - 3x^3 + 2x^2 + 12x - 2 = 0\).
(b) Using the derived equation and given \(\alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 + \delta^3 = -27\):
\(\alpha^4 + \beta^4 + \gamma^4 + \delta^4 = 3(-27) - 2(5) - 12(3) + 2(4)\).
Calculating gives \(-119\).
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