kid needs math help - I'm clueless

[ourbluenation]

5x to the 4th power minus 80????

wtf?

[miss_american_pie]

1. I think it's 2

:hide:

[ourbluenation]

3. the 12 year old say nix on your answer. thx though.

[miss_american_pie]

6. LOL

maybe I should have done my algebra homework myself

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. That's a nice statement.

But what is the math problem? Is there an actual equation?

is he supposed to solve for x?

If so, just find the number that when raised to the fourth power and then multiplied by 5 equals 80, assuming that the equation is 5x^4-80=0. which of course we don't know, because you didn't acually give us a full problem.

That's a trivially easy question, if so.

[ourbluenation]

5. omg this is so not my thing - she says it;s a polynomial

whatever that is?

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Well, yes, it's a polynomial - but is there an actual question?

An actual problem?

[LisaL]

9. Just copy the freaking problem exactly as it is written.

[JVS]

4. What is it asking to do?

[ourbluenation]

8. to factor it...

[LisaL]

10. Post it as it is written.

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. or scan it and post it from photobucket, or...?

Because, as Rabrrrrrr said: it's easy if the problem is as he guessed it might be written.

[ourbluenation]

12. she's getting her book - hang on....

ok

5x 4 - 80

the 4 is to the 4th power

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Christ almighty, that still isn't a problem or question.

It's a statement.

As a number of others have said, post the actual question, and post it EXACTLY as it written. Mathematics doesn't deal in "feelings" or "close enoughs" - just write the question.

[JVS]

13. 5*(x-2)*(x+2)*(x^2+4)

[JVS]

15. I win!

:party:

[Whoa_Nelly]

17. I don't think it's a factoring of 4

but is actually x^4 power...as Rabrrrrr originally guessed

[aclog]

14. I did it on paper so somebody back me up but I think its

5*(x-2)*(x+2)*(x^2+4)

you can technically factor x^2+4 but I'm guessing that counts as reduced for your purpose

if no one else double checks me I'll factor it on the computer to be sure its right

[ourbluenation]

18. she says, and I quote, "yes - that's it - let me call Jenny!"

She and Miss Jenny are going over it now on the phone....

Now she says, "Jeez - these people are smart!"

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Ah, now we have an actual problem - the first step in math,

especially in asking for help in math, is to give the actual question.

5x^4-80 when factored becomes (5x^2+20)(x^2-4)

which is: 5(x-2)(x+2)(x^2+4)

[aclog]

21. step by step

5x^4-80
=5*(x^4-16)
=5*<(x^2)^2-4^2>
=5*<(x^2-4)*(x^2+4)>
=5*<(x-2)*(x+2)*(x^2+4)>

[Rabrrrrrr]

23. Um....yeah. Thanks for explaining that to me.

:shrug:

[aclog]

24. I replied to the wrong post

bite me :)

[ourbluenation]

20. Hi - This is Olivia...thanks a lot - algebra 1 is really hard...

sometimes.

PS) Bush wouldn't have gotten that even with some extra thinkerating!

[Rabrrrrrr]

22. You are welcome, but let me re-iterate, that if you are going

to ask for help, you need to actually post the question.

If you (or your mom) had done that to begin with, you would have had your answer in five or so less minutes.