To solve the equation x4 + 2x2 + 6 = 0, we can use substitution to transform it into a quadratic equation. Let’s set y = x2. Therefore, x4 = (x2)2 = y2.
Substituting y into the original equation gives us:
y2 + 2y + 6 = 0.
Now, we have a quadratic equation in terms of y. This equation can be solved using the quadratic formula, y = (-b ± √(b² – 4ac)) / 2a, where a = 1, b = 2, and c = 6.
The quadratic equation y2 + 2y + 6 = 0 is equivalent to the original quartic equation. This means that we have successfully expressed the original equation as a quadratic equation in the variable y.