x0.5+x2=17x0.5+(x0.5)4=17lett=x0.5t+t4=17t4+t−17=0
This has at most 4 real answers.
If I graph y=x4+x−17
and see where it crosses the x axis that will be the solutions.
So t might equal 1.969 or -2.09
t=x0.5t2=xIft=1.969,x=3.877LHS=3.8770.5+3.8772=21.2≠RHS Ift=−2.09,x=4.368LHS=4.3680.5+4.3682=17=RHS
So I get x= 3.877 Correct to 3 decimal places
I am going to enter this into WolframAlpha to see if our answers are the same.
https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=x%5E+0.5+%2B+x%5E2+%3D+17
Our answers are the same.