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Higher Degree Polynomial Equations

A polynomial equation is said to be a higher degree tion if i i

es Fan gree equation if its degree is

Since the general and systemic approach of polynomial equations involves

knowledge of complex numbers, in this chapter, we only discuss the kind of higher
degree polynomial equations which can be converted to quadratic equations or can
be dealt with special methods, for example by completing squares.

These are usual methods for reducing a higher degree to 1 or 2:

(i) Factorization Methods.
Here all kinds of skill for factorization that up to now we have learned are
needed, including those by finding roots of a polynomial, by using division
of polynomials and by exchanging the positions of variable and parameter,

Substitution of variables or expressions.

Substitution of variables and expressions plays important role in simpli-

fying a polynomial equation and reducing its degree. However it is not
always easy to find the right substitution, and, sometimes, manipulation on
polynomials (for example, the Binomial expansion) is often necessary for
finding the appropriate substitution.

In recent years, some problems on solving system of higher degree polynomial

equations have appeared in MO competitions of countries. It is possible to reduce
the degree of equations by operations on equations and the techniques of inequali-
ties, which are different from those used for solving single higher degree
equation.

Example 1. (CROATIA/2005) Find all the real solutions (x, y, 2) of the equation

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