Skip to main content
SWStudyWalks Search

College Algebra / Unit 4   Alg 222 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Equations Quadratic in Form

Captions available

The idea

An equation is quadratic in form when a substitution for a repeated expression turns it into a quadratic.

In practice

x⁴ − 5x² + 4 = 0 under u = x² becomes u² − 5u + 4 = 0: u is 1 or 4, so x is ±1 and ±2.

Where people slip

Translate back to x; u is scaffolding.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

Builds on

  • Nothing. This is a starting point.

Unlocks

  • Nothing yet depends on this.

Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it  ·  Sources for College Algebra