Quartic function

The quartic function is the bridge between the cubic function and more advanced functions such as the quintic and sextic.

Objective

Present quartic function and quartic equation. Introduce the concept of roots of equal absolute value. Show how to predict and calculate equal roots, techniques that will be useful when applied to higher order functions. Simplify the depressed quartic. Show that the quartic equation is effectively solved when at least one root is known. Present the "resolvent" cubic function. Show how to derive and use the quartic formula.

Lesson

Introduction The quartic function is the sum of powers of $x$ from $0$ through $4$: $y=f(x)=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx^{1}+ex^{0}$ usually written as: $y=f(x)=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e.$ If $e==0$ the function becomes $x(ax^{3}+bx^{2}+cx+d).$ Within this page we'll say that: both coefficients $a,e$ must be non-zero, coefficient $a$ must be positive (simply for our convenience), all coefficients must be real numbers, accepting that the function may contain complex roots. The quartic equation is the quartic function equated to zero: $ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e=0$. Roots of the function are values of $x$ that satisfy the quartic equation. Because the function is "quartic" (maximum power of $x$ is $4$), the function contains exactly $4$ roots, an even number of complex roots and an even number of real roots. Other combinations of real and complex roots are possible, but they produce complex coefficients. Graph of typical quartic function showing minima and maximum. The figure shows a typical quartic function. The function crosses the $X$ axis in 4 different places. The function has 4 roots: $(-2,0),(1,0),(5,0),(10,0).$ This function contains one local minimum, one local maximum and one absolute minimum. There is no absolute maximum. Because the function contains one absolute minimum: If abs($x$) is very large, $f(x)$ is always positive. If absolute minimum is above $X$ axis, curve does not cross $X$ axis and function contains only complex roots. There is always at least one point where the curve is parallel to $X$ axis. The curve is never parallel to the $Y$ axis. For any real value of $x$ there is always a real value of $y.$ When coefficient d is missing, there is a stationary point at x = 0. If coefficient $d$ is missing, the quartic function becomes $y=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+e,$ and $y'=4ax^{3}+3bx^{2}+2cx=x(4ax^{2}+3bx+2c).$ For a stationary point $y'=x(4ax^{2}+3bx+2c)=0.$ When coefficient $d$ is missing, there is always a stationary point at $x=0.$ Graph of quartic function that is quadratic in $x^{2}$. Because coefficient $d$ is missing, there is a stationary point where $x=0.$ If coefficients $b,d$ are missing, the quartic function becomes a quadratic in $x^{2}.$ The curve (red line) in diagram has equation: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-13x^{2}+36}{5}}$ The quartic equation may be solved as: $X^{2}-13X+36=0$ where $X=x^{2}$ or $x={\sqrt {X}}.$ $X=4$ or $X=9.$ $x=\pm 2$ or $x=\pm 3.$ The quartic function may be expressed as $x=ay^{4}+by^{3}+cy^{2}+dy+e.$ Unless otherwise noted, references to "quartic function" on this page refer to function of form $y=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e.$ Graph of quartic function with coefficient a negative. There is no absolute minimum. Coefficient $a$ may be negative as shown in diagram. As abs$(x)$ increases, the value of $f(x)$ is dominated by the term $-ax^{4}.$ When abs$(x)$ is very large, $f(x)$ is always negative. Unless stated otherwise, any reference to "quartic function" on this page will assume coefficient $a$ positive. Graph of quartic function with coefficient b missing. Sum of roots is $0.$ $Y$axis compressed for clarity. When sum of roots is $0,$ coefficient $b=0.$ In the diagram, roots of $f(x)$ are $-5,-4,2,7.$ Sum of roots $=0.$ Therefore coefficient $b=0.$ Function as product of linear function and cubic Graphs of quartic function and associated cubic function. When $p$ is a root of the function, the function may be expressed as: $(x-p)(Ax^{3}+Bx^{2}+Cx+D)$ where $A=a;\ B=Ap+b;\ C=Bp+c;\ D=Cp+d.$ When one real root $p$ is known, the other three roots may be calculated as roots of the cubic function $Ax^{3}+Bx^{2}+Cx+D.$ In the diagram the quartic function has equation: $y={\frac {x^{4}-23x^{3}+163x^{2}-393x+252}{48}}.$ It is known that $3$ is a root of this function. The associated cubic has equation: $y={\frac {x^{3}-20x^{2}+103x-84}{48}}$ The 2 curves coincide at points $(1,0),\ (7,0),\ (12,0),$ the three points that are roots of both functions. ${\displaystyle }$ Function defined by 5 points Figure 1. Quartic function defined by 5 points Any 5 points on the curve may be used to define the function. Because the quartic function contains 5 coefficients, 5 simultaneous equations are needed to define the function. See Figure 1. The quartic function may be defined by any 5 unique points on the curve. For example, let us choose the five points: $(-5,0),(-2,0),(1,0),(3,-6),(6,2)$ Rearrange the standard quartic function to prepare for the calculation of $a,b,c,d,e:$ $x^{4}a+x^{3}b+x^{2}c+xd+1e-y=0.$ For function solveMbyN see "Solving simultaneous equations" . # python code points = (-5,0), (-2,0), (1,0), (3,-6), (6,2) L11 = [] for point in points : x,y = point L11 += [[x*x*x*x, x*x*x, x*x, x, 1, -y]] print (L11) [[ 625.0, -125.0, 25.0, -5.0, 1.0, 0.0], # [ 16.0, -8.0, 4.0, -2.0, 1.0, 0.0], # [ 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 0.0], # matrix supplied to function solveMbyN() below. [ 81.0, 27.0, 9.0, 3.0, 1.0, 6.0], # 5 rows by 6 columns. [1296.0, 216.0, 36.0, 6.0, 1.0, -2.0]] # # python code output = solveMbyN(L11) print (output) # 5 coefficients a, b, c, d, e: (0.02651515151515152, 0.004545454545454542, -0.847727272727273, -0.728787878787879, 1.5454545454545459) Quartic function defined by the 5 points $(-5,0),(-2,0),(1,0),(3,-6),(6,2)$ is $y={\frac {0.875x^{4}+0.15x^{3}-27.975x^{2}-24.05x+51}{33}}.$ Function defined by 3 points and 2 slopes Figure 1. Quartic function defined by 3 points and 2 slopes. Any 3 points on the curve and the slopes at any 2 of these points may be used to define the function. Slope at $(-2,-2)\ =$ slope at $(6,-4)\ =\ 0.$ Because the quartic function contains 5 coefficients, 5 simultaneous equations are needed to define the function. See Figure 1. The quartic function may be defined by any 3 unique points on the curve and the slopes at any 2 of these points. For example, let us choose the three points: $(-2,-2),(6,-4),(4,1)$ At point $(-2,-2)$ slope is $0.$ At point $(6,-4)$ slope is $0.$ Rearrange the standard quartic function to prepare for the calculation of $a,b,c,d,e:$ $x^{4}a+x^{3}b+x^{2}c+xd+1e-y=0.$ Rearrange the standard cubic function of slope to prepare for the calculation of $a,b,c,d,e:$ $4x^{3}a+3x^{2}b+2xc+1d+0e-s=0.$ For function solveMbyN see "Solving simultaneous equations" . # python code def makeEntry(input) : x,y,s = ( tuple(input) + (None,) )[:3] L1 = [] if s != None : L2 = [ float(v) for v in [4*x*x*x, 3*x*x, 2*x, 1, 0, -s] ] L1 += [ L2 ] L2 = [ float(v) for v in [x*x*x*x, x*x*x, x*x, x, 1, -y]] L1 += [ L2 ] return L1 t1 = ( (-2,-2, 0), # point (-2, -2) with slope 0. (6,-4, 0), # point (6, -4) with slope 0. (4,1), # point (4, 1) ) L1 = [] for v in t1 : L1 += makeEntry ( v ) print (L1) [[ -32.0, 12.0, -4.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0], # [ 16.0, -8.0, 4.0, -2.0, 1.0, 2.0], # [ 864.0, 108.0, 12.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0.0], # matrix supplied to function solveMbyN() below. [1296.0, 216.0, 36.0, 6.0, 1.0, 4.0], # 5 rows by 6 columns. [ 256.0, 64.0, 16.0, 4.0, 1.0, -1.0]]. # # python code output = solveMbyN(L1) print (output) # 5 coefficients a, b, c, d, e: (0.03255208333333339, -0.2526041666666665, -0.3072916666666667, 2.84375, 2.375) Quartic function defined by three points and two slopes is: $y={\frac {1.5625x^{4}-12.125x^{3}-14.75x^{2}+136.5x+114.0}{48}}.$ Associated cubic functions When p == -2 Figure 1. Quartic function and associated cubic function when p = -2. In this case roots of associated cubic include x = p. Quartic function is: $y=f(x)={\frac {1.5625x^{4}-12.125x^{3}-14.75x^{2}+136.5x+114.0}{48}}.$ When $p==-2,$ associated cubic function is : $y=g(x)={\frac {1.5625x^{3}-15.25x^{2}+15.75x+105}{48}}.$ Three blue vertical lines show 3 values of $x$ where $g(x)=0$ and $f(x)=f(-2)$ In this case roots of $g(x)$ include $x=p.$ When p == 5 Figure 1. Quartic function and associated cubic function when p = 5. In this case the one root of associated cubic excludes x = p. Quartic function is: $y=f(x)={\frac {1.5625x^{4}-12.125x^{3}-14.75x^{2}+136.5x+114.0}{48}}.$ When $p==5,$ associated cubic function is : $y=g(x)={\frac {1.5625x^{3}-4.3125x^{2}-36.3125x-45.0625}{48}}.$ Two blue vertical lines show 2 values of $x$ where $f(x)=f(5)$ In this case the one root of $g(x)$ excludes $x=p.$ When p == 6 Figure 1. Quartic function and associated cubic function when p = 6. In this case the one root of associated cubic includes x = p. Quartic function is: $y=f(x)$$={\frac {1.5625x^{4}-12.125x^{3}-14.75x^{2}+136.5x+114.0}{48}}.$ When $p==6,$ associated cubic function is: $y=g(x)$$={\frac {1.5625x^{3}-2.75x^{2}-31.25x-51}{48}}.$ One blue vertical line shows 1 value of $x$ where $f(x)=f(6)$ In this case the one root of $g(x)$ includes $x=p.$ Examples Quartic with 2 stationary points Graph of quartic function with 2 stationary points. In the diagram the red line represents quartic function $y=f(x)=4(x^{4}+3x^{3}+3x^{2}+x)-1.$ The grey line $g(x)$ is the first derivative of $f(x).$ The 2 roots of $g(x),\ -1$ and ${\frac {-1}{4}}$ show that $f(x)$ has stationary points at $x=-1$ and $x=-0.25.$ Quartic with 1 stationary point Graph of quartic function with 1 stationary point. In the diagram the red line represents quartic function $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}+3x^{3}+3x^{2}+3x}{2}}$ The grey line $g(x)$ is the first derivative of $f(x).$ The 1 root of $g(x),\ -1.607$ (approx.), shows that $f(x)$ has 1 stationary point where $g(x)=0.$

First and second derivatives

Points of inflection Graphs of quartic function and first two derivatives. Dotted portion of black line shows where f(x) is always concave down. Dotted portion of red line shows where g(x) is decreasing. Dotted portion of blue line shows where h(x) is negative. When h(x) is negative, f(x) is concave down. When h(x) is positive, f(x) is concave up. In the diagram the black line has equation: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-16x^{3}+42x^{2}+12x+4}{144}}.$ The first derivative, the red line, has equation: $y'=g(x)={\frac {x^{3}-12x^{2}+21x+3}{36}}.$ The second derivative, the blue line, has equation: $y''=h(x)={\frac {x^{2}-8x+7}{12}}.$ When $x<x_{1}:$ $y'$ is increasing. $y''$ is positive. $f(x)$ is always concave up. When $x==x_{1}:$ $y'$ is at a local maximum. $y''=0.$ Concavity of $f(x)$ is between up and down. When $x_{1}<x<x_{2}:$ $y'$ is decreasing. $y''$ is negative. $f(x)$ is always concave down. When $x==x_{2}:$ $y'$ is at a local minimum. $y''=0.$ Concavity of $f(x)$ is between down and up. When $x_{2}<x:$ $y'$ is increasing. $y''$ is positive. $f(x)$ is always concave up. The roots of $h(x):x_{1}=1,x_{2}=7.$ Let point $p_{1}$ on $f(x)$ have coordinates $(x_{1},f(x_{1})).$ Let point $p_{2}$ on $f(x)$ have coordinates $(x_{2},f(x_{2})).$ At point $p_{1}$ concavity of $f(x)$ changes from up to down. At point $p_{2}$ concavity of $f(x)$ changes from down to up. The points $p_{1},p_{2}$ (the $X$ coordinates of which are roots of $h(x)$) are the points of inflection of $f(x).$ Maxima and minima Graphs of quartic function and first two derivatives showing maximum and minima. Point $p_{2}$ on $f(x)$ is a stationary point. $f(x)$ at point $p_{2}$ is concave down. Point $p_{2}$ is local maximum. Point $p_{1}$ on $f(x)$ is a stationary point. $f(x)$ at point $p_{1}$ is concave up. Point $p_{1}$ is local minimum. Similarly, point $p_{3}$ is local minimum. In the diagram the black line has equation: $y=f(x)={\frac {1.5625x^{4}-12.125x^{3}-14.75x^{2}+136.5x+114}{48}}.$ The first derivative, the red line, has equation: $y'=g(x)={\frac {6.25x^{3}-36.375x^{2}-29.5x+136.5}{48}}.$ The second derivative, the blue line, has equation: $y''=h(x)={\frac {18.75x^{2}-72.75x-29.5}{48}}.$ Roots of $g(x):\ x_{1}=-2;\ x_{2}=1.82;\ x_{3}=6.$ Let point $p_{1}$ on $f(x)$ have coordinates $(x_{1},f(x_{1})).$ At $x_{1}\ h(x_{1})$ is positive. Point $p_{1}$ is a stationary point and $f(x)$ at $p_{1}$ is concave up. Point $p_{1}$ is a local minimum. Let point $p_{2}$ on $f(x)$ have coordinates $(x_{2},f(x_{2})).$ At $x_{2}\ h(x_{2})$ is negative. Point $p_{2}$ is a stationary point and $f(x)$ at $p_{2}$ is concave down. Point $p_{2}$ is a local maximum. Let point $p_{3}$ on $f(x)$ have coordinates $(x_{3},f(x_{3})).$ At $x_{3}\ h(x_{3})$ is positive. Point $p_{3}$ is a stationary point and $f(x)$ at $p_{3}$ is concave up. Point $p_{3}$ is a local minimum. Quartic with 2 stationary points Graph of quartic function with 2 stationary points and first 2 derivatives. Black line: $y=f(x)=4(x^{4}+3x^{3}+3x^{2}+x)-1.$ Red line: $y'=g(x)=4(4x^{3}+9x^{2}+6x+1).$ $y''=h(x)=4(12x^{2}+18x+6)$ Blue line: $y''=4(2x^{2}+3x+1)={\frac {h(x)}{6}}.$ Dotted portion of black line shows where $f(x)$ is concave down. In the diagram, point $p_{1}$ on $f(x)$ has coordinates $(x_{1},f(x_{1})).$ Similarly, points $p_{2},p_{3}$ have coordinates $(x_{2},f(x_{2})),\ (x_{3},f(x_{3})).$ $y'$ has roots: $x_{1}=-1;\ x_{3}=-0.25.$ Points $p_{1},p_{3}$ are stationary points. $y''$ has roots: $x_{1}=-1;\ x_{2}=-0.5.$ Points $p_{1},p_{2}$ are points of inflection. At point $p_{3}\ y''$ is positive. $f(x)$ at $p_{3}$ is concave up. Point $p_{3}$ is local minimum. Summary: Point $p_{1}$ is both stationary point and point of inflection. Point $p_{2}$ is point of inflection. Point $p_{3}$ is both stationary point and local minimum.

The simplest quartic function

Graph of simplest quartic function. Point $p_{1}\ (-1.1,0)$ is a root of $f(x).$ Point $p_{2}\ (1.1,0)$ is a root of $f(x).$ Point $p_{0}\ (0,-1.1^{4})$ is $Y$ intercept of $f(x).$ The simplest quartic function has coefficients $b=c=d=0.$ Red line in diagram has equation: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-1.1^{4}$ First derivative (not shown) of $f(x):\ y'=g(x)=4x^{3}.$ When $x==0,\ g(x)=0.$ There is a stationary point on $f(x)$ when $x==0,$ point $p_{0}.$ Second derivative (not shown) of $f(x):\ y''=h(x)=12x^{2}.$ When $x==0,\ h(x)=0.$ There is a point of inflection on $f(x)$ when $x==0.$ For every non-zero value of $x,\ h(x)$ is positive. To left and right of point $p_{0},\ f(x)$ is always concave up. Point $p_{0}$ is both local minimum and absolute minimum. Point $p_{0}$ is stationary point and point of inflection and absolute minimum. Curve $f(x)$ is useful for finding the fourth root of a real number. Solve: $x=N^{\frac {1}{4}}.$ $x^{4}=N.$ $x^{4}-N=0.$ This is equivalent to finding a root of function $y=j(x)=x^{4}-N.$ If you use Newton's method to find a root of $j(x),$ this would be more efficient than solving $x={\sqrt {\sqrt {N}}}.$

Roots of equal absolute value

The standard quartic function: $y=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e\ \dots \ (1)$ For $x$ in $(1)$ substitute $(p+q).$ Call this $(2).$ For $x$ in $(1)$ substitute $(p-q).$ Call this $(3).$ Combine $(2)$ and $(3)$ to eliminate $q$ and produce an equation in $p:$ $(-64aaa)pppppp+$ $(-96aab)ppppp+$ $(-32aac-48abb)pppp+$ $(-32abc-8bbb)ppp+$ $(+16aae-4abd-4acc-8bbc)pp+$ $(+8abe-2bbd-2bcc)p+$ $(+add+bbe-bcd)\ =\ 0\ \dots \ (4).$ We are interested in coefficient $0$ of $(4):\ c_{0}=add+bbe-bcd.$ If $c_{0}==0,\ p=0$ is a solution and function $(1)$ has 2 roots of form $0\pm q$ where $q={\sqrt {\frac {-d}{b}}}.$ An example: Graph of quartic function with 2 roots of equal absolute value. In the diagram the red line has equation: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-12x^{3}+31x^{2}+48x-140}{45}}.$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-12,31,48,-140$ $c_{0}=add+bbe-bcd$$=1(48)(48)+(-12)(-12)(-140)-(-12)(31)(48)=0.$ $f(x)$ has roots of equal absolute value. $q={\sqrt {\frac {-d}{b}}}={\sqrt {\frac {-48}{-12}}}={\sqrt {4}}=\pm 2.$ The 2 roots of equal absolute value are: $2,-2.$ The method works with complex roots of equal absolute value: Graph of quartic function with 2 complex roots of equal absolute value. In the diagram the red line has equation: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-3x^{3}-x^{2}-27x-90}{50}}.$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-3,-1,-27,-90$ $c_{0}=0.$ $f(x)$ has roots of equal absolute value. $q={\sqrt {\frac {-d}{b}}}={\sqrt {\frac {-(-27)}{-3}}}={\sqrt {-9}}=\pm 3i.$ The 2 roots of equal absolute value are: $3i,-3i.$

Equal roots

Equal roots occur when the function and the slope of the function both equal zero. $ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e=0\ \dots \ (1)$ $4ax^{3}+3bx^{2}+2cx+d=0\ \dots \ (2)$ Begin the process of reducing $(1),\ (2)$ to linear functions. Combine $(1),\ (2)$ to produce 2 cubic functions: $Fx^{3}+Gx^{2}+Hx+J\ \dots \ (1a)$ where: $F=ad;\ G=bd-4ae;\ H=cd-3be;\ J=dd-2ce.$ $fx^{3}+gx^{2}+hx+j\ \dots \ (2a)$ where: $f=4a;\ g=3b;\ h=2c;\ j=d.$ Combine $(1a),\ (2a)$ to produce 2 quadratic functions: $Kx^{2}+Lx+M\ \dots \ (1b)$ where: $K=Gf-Fg;\ L=Hf-Fh;\ M=Jf-Fj.$ $kx^{2}+lx+m\ \dots \ (2b)$ where: $k=Fj-Jf;\ l=Gj-Jg;\ m=Hj-Jh.$ Combine $(1b),\ (2b)$ to produce 2 linear functions: $Rx+S\ \dots \ (1c)$ where: $R=Lk-Kl;\ S=Mk-Km.$ $rx+s\ \dots \ (2c)$ where: $r=Km-Mk;\ s=Lm-Ml.$ From $(1c):\ x_{1}={\frac {-S}{R}}$ From $(2c):\ x_{2}={\frac {-s}{r}}$ If $x_{1}==x_{2}:$ ${\frac {-S}{R}}={\frac {-s}{r}}$ $Rs=rS$ $Rs-Sr=0.$ The value $Rs-Sr$ is in fact: + 2048aaaaacddeeee - 768aaaaaddddeee - 1536aaaabcdddeee + 576aaaabdddddee - 1024aaaacccddeee + 1536aaaaccddddee - 648aaaacdddddde + 81aaaadddddddd + 1152aaabbccddeee - 480aaabbcddddee + 18aaabbdddddde - 640aaabcccdddee + 384aaabccddddde - 54aaabcddddddd + 128aaacccccddee - 80aaaccccdddde + 12aaacccdddddd - 216aabbbbcddeee + 81aabbbbddddee + 144aabbbccdddee - 86aabbbcddddde + 12aabbbddddddd - 32aabbccccddee + 20aabbcccdddde - 3aabbccdddddd which, by removing values $aa,d$$d$ (common to all values), may be reduced to: status = ( + 2048aaaceeee - 768aaaddeee - 1536aabcdeee + 576aabdddee - 1024aaccceee + 1536aaccddee - 648aacdddde + 81aadddddd + 1152abbcceee - 480abbcddee + 18abbdddde - 640abcccdee + 384abccddde - 54abcddddd + 128acccccee - 80accccdde + 12acccdddd - 216bbbbceee + 81bbbbddee + 144bbbccdee - 86bbbcddde + 12bbbddddd - 32bbccccee + 20bbcccdde - 3bbccdddd ) If $status==0,$ there are at least 2 equal roots which may be calculated as shown below. If coefficient $d$ is non-zero, it is not necessary to calculate $status.$ If coefficient $d==0,$ verify that $status=0$ before proceeding. No equal roots Graph of quartic function with no equal roots. Red line in diagram is of function: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-3x^{3}-x^{2}-27x-90}{50}}$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-3,-1,-27,-90$ $R,S=15269148,-35977608$ $x_{1}={\frac {-S}{R}}={\frac {35977608}{15269148}}=2.3562289133617\dots$ $r,s=35977608,-60634332$ $x_{2}={\frac {-s}{r}}={\frac {60634332}{35977608}}=1.685335278543253\dots$ $x_{1}!=x_{2}.$ There are no equal roots. Exactly 2 equal roots Graph of quartic function with exactly 2 equal roots. Red line in diagram is of function: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}+6x^{3}-48x^{2}-182x+735}{100}}$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,6,-48,-182,735$ $R,S=-1027353600,-7191475200$ $x_{1}={\frac {-S}{R}}={\frac {7191475200}{-1027353600}}=-7$ $r,s=7191475200,50340326400$ $x_{2}={\frac {-s}{r}}={\frac {-50340326400}{7191475200}}=-7$ $x_{1}=x_{2}=-7.$ There are 2 equal roots at $x=-7.$ The following 3 graphs show the steps that lead to calculation of equal roots at point $(-7,0).$ Figure 1. graph of $f(x)$ and 2 associated cubic functions. Figure 2. graph of $f(x)$ and 2 associated quadratic functions. Figure 3. graph of $f(x)$ and 2 associated linear functions. In all graphs, all curves have a common root at point $(-7,0).$ See "Function as product of linear function and cubic" above. To calculate all roots: # python code. a,b,c,d,e = 1,6,-48,-182,735 # The associated cubic: p = -7 A = a B = A*p + b C = B*p + c D = C*P + d # The associated quadratic: a1 = A b1 = a1*p + B c1 = b1*p + C a1,b1,c1 (1, -8, 15) Roots of quadratic function $g(x)=x^{2}-8x+15$ are $3,5.$ All roots of $f(x)$ are $-7,-7,3,5.$ Exactly 3 equal roots Graph of quartic function with exactly 3 equal roots and corresponding quadratic. Red line in diagram is of function: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-2x^{3}-36x^{2}+162x-189}{100}}$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-2,-36,162,-189$ $R,S=0,0\ \dots \dots \ (1c)$ $r,s=0,0\ \dots \dots \ (2c)$ In this case the calculation of $x_{1},x_{2}$ is not appropriate because there are more than 2 equal roots. Try equations $(1b),(2b).$ Both of these are equivalent to: $y=g(x)=x^{2}-6x+9,$ blue line in diagram. Discriminant of $g(x)=(-6)^{2}-4(1)(9)=0.\ g(x)$ has two equal roots at $x={\frac {-(-6)}{2(1)}}=3.$ Therefore $f(x)$ has 3 equal roots at $x=3.$ Four equal roots Graph of quartic function with 4 equal roots and corresponding cubic. $g(x)={\frac {f'(x)}{4}}.$ Red line in diagram is of function: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-20x^{3}+150x^{2}-500x+625.$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-20,150,-500,625$ $R,S=0,0$ $r,s=0,0$ $K,L,M=0,0,0$ $k,l,m=0,0,0$ In this case $(1b),(2b),(1c),(2c)$ are all null. This is the only case in which $(1b),(2b)$ are null. $(1a),(2a)$ are both equivalent to: $y=g(x)=x^{3}-15x^{2}+75x-125,$ blue line in diagram. $g(x)$ has one root at $x=5.$ Therefore $f(x)$ has 4 equal roots at $x=5.$ Two pairs of equal roots Graph of quartic function with 2 pairs of equal roots and corresponding quadratic. Red line in diagram is of function: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-6x^{3}-11x^{2}+60x+100}{20}}.$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-6,-11,60,100$ $R,S=0,0$ $r,s=0,0$ In this case $(1c),(2c)$ are both null. $(1b),(2b)$ are both equivalent to: $y=g(x)={\frac {x^{2}-3x-10}{20}},$ blue line in diagram. $g(x)$ has one root at $x=-2$ and one root at $x=5.$ Therefore $f(x)$ has 2 equal roots at $x=-2$ and 2 equal roots at $x=5.$ Graph of quartic function with 2 pairs of equal, complex roots and corresponding quadratic. $g(x)=(x-(3-2i))(x-(3+2i))=x^{2}-6x+13.$ $f(x)=(g(x))^{2}.$ This method is valid for complex roots. For example: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-12x^{3}+62x^{2}-156x+169.$ $a,b,c,d,e=1,-12,62,-156,169.$ In this case $(1c),\ (2c)$ are both null. $(1b),\ (2b)$ are both equivalent to: $y=g(x)=x^{2}-6x+13,$ blue line in diagram. Roots of $g(x)$ are $3\pm 2i.$ $f(x)$ has 2 roots equal to $3+2i$ and 2 roots equal to $3-2i.$ Summmary No equal roots 2 equal roots 3 equal roots 4 equal roots 2 pairs of equal roots Cubic: 1(a), 2(a) different different different same different Quadratic: 1(b), 2(b) different different same, 1root null same, 2roots Linear: 1(c), 2(c) different same null null null Caution Calculation of false equal roots. In this example, method calculates 2 legitimate equal roots at $(4,0)$ and 2 false equal roots at $(7.543296089385474,0).$ ${\displaystyle }$ Black line in diagram has equation: $y=f(x)=0.012684240362811794x^{4}$ $-\ 0.19522392290249435x^{3}$ $+\ 0.7654478458049887x^{2}+0x-3.$ $f(x)$ is a quartic function with exactly 2 equal roots and coefficient $d$ missing. Calculation of equal roots of $f(x)$ gives linear functions $(1c),(2c)$ null and quadratic functions $(1b),(2b)$ with equal roots of $(4,0),(7.543296089385474,0).$ Usually, this indicates that $f(x)$ should have 2 equal roots at $(4,0)$ and 2 equal roots at $(7.543296089385474,0).$ It is obvious that $7.543296089385474$ is not a root of $f(x).$ When $x=7.543296089385474,$ slope of derivative $g(x)=0.$ Value of $f(x)\ !=0.$ This example indicates that it would be wise to verify that calculated equal roots are in fact valid roots of $f(x).$

Depressed quartic

A depressed quartic is any quartic function with any one or more of coefficients $b,c,d$ missing. Within this section a depressed quartic has coefficient $b$ missing. To produce the depressed quartic: $y=ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e\ \dots \ (1)$ $y={\frac {(4^{4}a^{3})(ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e)}{4^{4}a^{3}}}\ \dots \ (2)$ Let $x={\frac {-b+t}{4a}}.$ Substitute in $(2),$ expand and simplify: $y={\frac {t^{4}+At^{2}+Bt+C}{4^{4}a^{3}}}\ \dots \ (3)$ where: $A=16ac-6b^{2}$ $B=64a^{2}d-32abc+8b^{3}$ $C=256a^{3}e-64a^{2}bd+16ab^{2}c-3b^{4}$ When equated to $0,\ (3)$ becomes the depressed equation: $t^{4}+At^{2}+Bt+C=0\ \dots \ (4).$ Be prepared for the possibility that any 1 or more of $A,B,C$ may be zero. Coefficient B missing Graph of quartic function that resembles a quadratic. If coefficient $B==0,\ (4)$ becomes a quadratic in $t^{2}:$ $t^{4}+At^{2}+C=0.$ $(1)$ has the appearance of a quadratic. The black line: $y=f(x)={\frac {x^{4}-4x^{3}+9x^{2}-10x+5}{10}}$ $B=64a^{2}d-32abc+8b^{3}$ $=8(8(-10)-4(-4)(9)+-64)$ $=8(-80+144-64)$ $=8(0)=0.$ The red line: $y'=g(x)={\frac {4x^{3}-12x^{2}+18x-10}{10}}$ $y'=g(x)=0$ where $x=1.$ The grey line: $y''=h(x)={\frac {12x^{2}-24x+18}{10}}$ Absolute minima of $f(x)$ and of $h(x)$ and point of inflection of $g(x)$ occur where $x={\frac {-b}{4}}=1.$ $y''$ is always positive. $f(x)$ is always concave up. $f(1+p)=f(1-p).$ If $(1)$ contains 2 pairs of equal roots, coefficient $B=0.$ The converse is not necessarily true. If $(1)$ contains 4 equal roots, coefficients $A=B=C=0.$ Coefficient C missing Graph of quartic function with coefficient C of depressed function missing. $Y$ axis compressed for clarity. If coefficient $C==0,\ (4)$ becomes: $t^{4}+At^{2}+Bt=t(t^{3}+At+B)=0$ in which case $t=0$ is a solution and $x={\frac {-b}{4a}}$ is a root of $(1).$ Curve (red line) in example has equation: $y=f(x)=8x^{4}+16x^{3}+24x^{2}+89x+40.$ Coefficients of depressed function are: # python code a,b,c,d,e = 8, 16, 24, 89, 40 A = 16*a*c - 6*b*b B = 64*a*a*d - 32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b C = 256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b A,B,C (1536, 299008, 0) Coefficient $C$ of depressed function is missing. $t=0$ is a solution. Using $x={\frac {-b+t}{4a}},$ one root of $f(x)={\frac {-16+0}{4(8)}}=-0.5.$ Resolvent cubic This section introduces a special cubic function called "resolvent" because it helps to resolve a requirement, the calculation of the roots of the quartic. The depressed quartic: $t^{4}+At^{2}+Bt+C\ \dots \ (1)$ For $t$ substitute $(u+v)\ \dots \ (2)$ For $t$ substitute $(u-v)\ \dots \ (3)$ $(2)+(3):\ 2Auu+2Avv+2Bu+2C+2uuuu+12uuvv+2vvvv\ \dots \ (4)$ Simplify $(4):\ Auu+AV+Bu+C+uuuu+6uuV+VV\ \dots \ (4a)$ $(2)-(3):\ 4Auv+2Bv+8uuuv+8uvvv\ \dots \ (5)$ Simplify $(5):\ 2Au+B+4uuu+4uV\ \dots \ (5a)$ From $(5a):\ 4uV=-(2Au+B+4uuu)\ \dots \ (5b)$ $(4a)*4u4u:\ 4u4uAuu+A4u(4uV)+4u4uBu+4u4uC+4u4uuuuu+6uu4u(4uV)+(4uV)(4uV)\ \dots \ (6)$ In $(6)$ replace $4uV$ with $(-(2Au+B+4uuu)),$ expand, simplify, gather like terms and result is: $Pu^{6}+Qu^{4}+Ru^{2}+S$ or $PU^{3}+QU^{2}+RU+S\ \dots \ (7)$ where: $U=u^{2}$ $P=64$ $Q=32A$ $R=4A^{2}-16C$ $S=-B^{2}$ From $(5b):\ V=v^{2}={\frac {-(2Au+B+4uuu)}{4u}}=-({\frac {A}{2}}+U)-{\frac {B}{4u}}\ \dots \ (8)$ Some simple changes reduce the number of calculations and also the sizes of coefficients $P,Q,R,S.$ $A2=8ac-3b^{2}$ where $A2={\frac {A}{2}}$ $B4=16a^{2}d-8abc+2b^{3}$ where $B4={\frac {B}{4}}$ $C=256a^{3}e-64a^{2}bd+16ab^{2}c-3b^{4}$ Then: $P=64$ $Q=32(A2)(2)=64A2$ $R=4(A2)(2)(A2)(2)-16C=16A2^{2}-16C$ $S=-(B4)(4)(B4)(4)=-16B4^{2}$ Divide all 4 coefficients by $16:$ $P=4$ $Q=4A2$ $R=A2^{2}-C$ $S=-B4^{2}$ $V=v^{2}=-(A2+U)-{\frac {B4}{u}}.$ A close examination of coefficients $R,S$ shows that both coefficients are always exactly divisible by $4.$ Therefore, all four coefficients may be defined as follows: $P=1$ $Q=A2$ $R={\frac {A2^{2}-C}{4}}$ $S={\frac {-B4^{2}}{4}}$

Solving quartic equation

This section presents 4 examples that show how to use the depressed quartic and the resolvent cubic to solve the quartic equation.

Four real roots

Graphs of quartic function with 4 real roots and associated resolvent cubic. Resolvent cubic contains 3 real, positive roots. Calculate roots of: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-x^{3}-19x^{2}-11x+30$

Calculate coefficients of depressed quartic:

a,b,c,d,e = 1,-1,-19,-11,30 A = 16*a*c - 6*b*b B = 64*a*a*d - 32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b C = 256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b print (A,B,C) -310 -1320 6669

Calculate coefficients of resolvent cubic:

P = 64 Q = 32*A R = 4*A*A - 16*C S = -B*B print (P,Q,R,S) 64 -9920 277696 -1742400

Calculate roots of cubic function: $y=g(x)=64x^{3}-9920x^{2}+277696x-1742400.$

There are 3 real, positive roots: $9,25,121.$

Using 3 roots of $g(x),$ calculate 4 roots of $f(x):$

# python code for U in (9, 25, 121) : print ('\nU =', U) sqrtU = U ** 0.5 for u in (sqrtU, -sqrtU) : V = -(A/2 + U) - B/(4*u) v = V ** .5 for t in (u+v, u-v) : x = (-b+t) / (4*a) y = a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e print ('x:',x, '; y:',y) U = 9 x: 5.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -3.0 ; y: 0.0 x: 1.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -2.0 ; y: 0.0 U = 25 x: 5.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -2.0 ; y: 0.0 x: 1.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -3.0 ; y: 0.0 U = 121 x: 5.0 ; y: 0.0 x: 1.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -2.0 ; y: 0.0 x: -3.0 ; y: 0.0 Roots of $f(x)$ are: $5,1,-2,-3.$

All 3 values of $U$ produce the same results, but not in same sequence.

It is not necessary to calculate all 3 roots of resolvent cubic. Any one non-zero root is sufficient to do the job.

Two real and two complex roots

Example 1

Graphs of quartic function with 2 real and 2 complex roots and associated resolvent cubic. Calculate roots of: $y=f(x)=x^{4}+2x^{3}+18x^{2}-70x-87$

Calculate coefficients of depressed quartic: a,b,c,d,e = 1,2,18,-70,-87 A = 16*a*c - 6*b*b B = 64*a*a*d - 32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b C = 256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b print (A,B,C) 264 -5568 -12208 Calculate coefficients of resolvent cubic: P = 64 Q = 32*A R = 4*A*A - 16*C S = -B*B print (P,Q,R,S) 64 8448 474112 -31002624 Calculate one real root of cubic function: $y=g(x)=64x^{3}+8448x^{2}+474112x-31002624.$ $36$ is one real root. Choose $U=36.$ Calculate roots of $f(x):$ # python code U = 36 u1 = U**.5 for u in (u1, -u1) : V = -(A/2 + U) - B/(4*u) if V >= 0 : v = V**.5 else : v = 1j * (-V)**.5 for t in (u+v, u-v) : x = (-b+t)/(4*a) # Check result. Expecting sum = 0. sum = a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e print ('x =',x, '; sum =',sum ) x = 3.0  ; sum = 0.0 x = -1.0  ; sum = 0.0 x = (-2+5j) ; sum = 0j x = (-2-5j) ; sum = 0j

Example 2

Coefficient $d$ of $g(x)=0.$ ${\displaystyle }$ Calculate roots of: $y=f(x)$ $=3x^{4}-6x^{3}-41x^{2}+44x-189$

Calculate coefficients of depressed quartic:

a,b,c,d,e = 3, -6, -41, 44, -189 A = 16*a*c - 6*b*b B = 64*a*a*d - 32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b C = 256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b print (A,B,C) -2184, 0, -1229040 Notice that coefficient $B=0.$

Calculate coefficients of resolvent cubic:

P = 64 Q = 32*A R = 4*A*A - 16*C S = -B*B print (P,Q,R,S) 1, -1092, 605376, 0 Notice that coefficient $S=0.$

Calculate roots of cubic function: $y=g(x)=x^{3}-1092x^{2}+605376x+0.$

Roots are $0,546\pm 554.3103823671355j.$

Value $0$ cannot be used because it will cause error Divide by zero at statement V = -(A/2 + U) - B/(4*u).

Calculate roots of $f(x):$

# python code U = 546+554.3103823671355j print ('\nU =',U) sqrtU = U ** 0.5 for u in (sqrtU, -sqrtU) : V = -(A/2 + U) - B/(4*u) v = V ** 0.5 s1 = '\nu,v' print (s1,eval(s1)) for t in (u+v, u-v) : x = (-b+t)/(4*a) # Check result. Expecting sum = 0. sum = a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e print ('x =', x,'; sum =',sum) U = (546+554.3103823671355j) u,v ((25.729935131257832+10.771701901683684j), (25.729935131257832-10.771701901683684j)) x = (4.788322521876306 + 0j)  ; sum = (1.9895196601282805e-13 + 0j) x = (0.5 + 1.795283650280614j) ; sum = (5.684341886080802e-14 + 0j) u,v ((-25.729935131257832-10.771701901683684j), (25.729935131257832-10.771701901683684j)) x = (0.5 - 1.795283650280614j) ; sum = (5.684341886080802e-14 + 0j) x = (-3.7883225218763052 + 0j) ; sum = (1.7053025658242404e-13 + 0j) Values of $x$ are: $-3.7883225218763052,4.788322521876306,0.5\pm 1.795283650280614j$ ${\displaystyle }$${\displaystyle }$

Depressed quartic as quadratic

In this example coefficient $B$ of depressed quartic $=0.$

Therefore, resolvent cubic can be ignored and depressed quartic processed as quadratic in $T=t^{2}.$

$t^{4}-2184t^{2}+(0)t-1229040$

$T^{2}-2184T-1229040$ where $T=t^{2}.$

Solutions of this quadratic are: $T_{1},T_{2}=2648.1182474349434,-464.11824743494344$

T1,T2 = 2648.1182474349434, -464.11824743494344

t1 = T1 ** 0.5; t2 = ((-T2) ** 0.5) * 1j

for t in (t1,-t1,t2,-t2) :
    x = (-b+t)/(4*a)
    # Check result. Expecting sum = 0.
    sum = a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e
    print ('x =', x,'; sum =',sum)

x =  4.788322521876305          ; sum = -1.7053025658242404e-13
x = -3.788322521876305          ; sum = -1.7053025658242404e-13
x = (0.5 + 1.7952836502806138j) ; sum = (-2.842170943040401e-14 + 0j)
x = (0.5 - 1.7952836502806138j) ; sum = (-2.842170943040401e-14 + 0j)

or

x = 0.5 ± 4.288322521876305, 0.5 ± 1.7952836502806138j

With precision of 15, values of $x$ are same as those shown above.

When roots of quartic function are of form p ± q, p ± r, coefficient $B$ of depressed function $=0.$

Four complex roots

Graphs of quartic function with 4 complex roots and associated resolvent cubic. Calculate roots of: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-20x^{3}+408x^{2}+2296x+18020$

Calculate coefficients of depressed quartic:

4128 344064 9683200

Calculate coefficients of resolvent cubic:

64 132096 -86769664 -118380036096

Calculate one root of cubic function: $y=g(x)=64x^{3}+132096x^{2}-86769664x-118380036096.$

There are 3 real roots: $-2304,-784,1024.$ Choose $U=-784.$

Negative $U$ is chosen here to show that any 1 of the roots produces the correct result.

Calculate roots of $f(x):$

# python code U = -784 u1 = 1j * (-U)**.5 for u in (u1, -u1) : V = -(A/2 + U) - B/(4*u) v = V**.5 for t in (u+v, u-v) : x = (-b+t)/(4*a) # Check result. Expecting sum = 0. sum = a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e print ('x =', x,'; sum =',sum) # python expresses complex numbers with 'j'. x = (13+19j) ; sum = 0j x = (-3-5j)  ; sum = 0j x = (13-19j) ; sum = 0j x = (-3+5j)  ; sum = 0j

Quartic formula

The substitutions made above can be used to produce a formula for the solution of the quartic equation.

See main articles "The general case" or "General formula for roots."

Both links above point to formula for equation $x^{4}+ax^{3}+bx^{2}+cx+d=0.$

Given quartic equation: $ax^{4}+bx^{3}+cx^{2}+dx+e=0,$ calculate the 4 values of $x.$

$x={\frac {-b+t}{4a}}$ where:

Coefficients of depressed quartic: $A=16ac-6b^{2}$ $B=64a^{2}d-32abc+8b^{3}$ $C=256a^{3}e-64a^{2}bd+16ab^{2}c-3b^{4}$

Coefficients of resolvent cubic: $a_{1}=P=64$ $b_{1}=Q=32A$ $c_{1}=R=4A^{2}-16C$ $d_{1}=S=-B^{2}$

Coefficients of depressed cubic: $A_{1}=9a_{1}c_{1}-3b_{1}^{2}$ $B_{1}=27a_{1}^{2}d_{1}-9a_{1}b_{1}c_{1}+2b_{1}^{3}$

One root of resolvent cubic: $C_{1}={\frac {-A_{1}}{3}}=b_{1}^{2}-3a_{1}c_{1}$ $\Delta =B_{1}^{2}-4C_{1}^{3}\ \dots \dots \ \Delta$ may be negative. $\delta ={\sqrt {\Delta }}$ $W={\frac {-B_{1}+\delta }{2}}$ $w={\sqrt[{3}]{W}}$ $t_{1}=w+{\frac {C_{1}}{w}}$ $U={\frac {-b_{1}+t_{1}}{3a_{1}}}$

One root of quartic: $u={\sqrt {U}}\ \dots \dots \ u$ may be positive or negative. $V=-({\frac {A}{2}}+U)-{\frac {B}{4u}}$ $v={\sqrt {V}}\ \dots \dots \ v$ may be positive or negative. $t=u+v$

Formula above produces one value of $x.$ Python code below utilizes $\pm {\sqrt {U}}$ and $\pm {\sqrt {V}}$ to produce 4 values of $t$ and then, four values of $x.$

An example:

Graph of quartic function with 2 real roots. $Y$ axis compressed for clarity. Calculate roots of $f(x)=4x^{4}+4x^{3}-75x^{2}-776x-1869.$ # Python code. a,b,c,d,e = 4, 4, -75, -776, -1869 values_of_t = [ t # Coefficients of depressed quartic: for A in (16*a*c - 6*b*b,) for B in (64*a*a*d -32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b,) for C in (256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b,) # Coefficients of resolvent cubic: for a1 in (64,) for b1 in (32*A,) for c1 in (4*A*A - 16*C,) for d1 in (-B*B,) for U in [ # The resolvent cubic: (-b1+t1)/(3*a1) # Coefficients of depressed resolvent cubic: for A1 in (9*a1*c1 - 3*b1*b1,) for B1 in (27*a1*a1*d1 - 9*a1*b1*c1 + 2*b1*b1*b1,) # One root of resolvent cubic: for C1 in (-A1/3,) for Δ in (B1*B1 - 4*C1*C1*C1,) for δ in (Δ**0.5,) for W in ((-B1 + δ)/2,) for w in (W**(1/3),) for t1 in (w + C1/w,) # See note below. ] # Prepare to calculate 4 values of t. for u1 in (U**.5,) for v1 in ( -(A/2 + U) ,) # Calculate 4 values of t. for u in (u1, -u1,) for V in ( v1 - B/(4*u),) for v in (V**.5,) for t in (u+v, u-v) ] print ('values_of_t =', values_of_t) values_of_t = [116, -44, (-36+64j), (-36-64j)] Because $f(t)$ is a depressed quartic function, sum of four values_of_t $=116-44-36(2)=0.$ # Python code. # Calculate 4 separate roots. values_of_x = [ (-b + t)/(4*a) for t in values_of_t ] print ('values_of_x =', values_of_x) values_of_x = [7, -3, (-2.5 + 4j), (-2.5 - 4j)] In python the imaginary part of a complex number is shown with $j$ instead of $i.$ If $A==B==C==0,\ f(x)$ contains 4 equal roots and $x={\frac {-b}{4a}}.$ If $f(x)$ contains 3 or more equal roots, statement for t1 in (w + C1/w,) fails with divisor $w=0.$ Before using this formula, check for equal roots as in "Exactly 3 equal roots" above. Values displayed above have been edited slightly. Actual calculated values were: values_of_x = [7.000000000000001, -3.0000000000000044, (-2.499999999999998+4.000000000000001j), (-2.4999999999999987-4.000000000000001j)]

In practice

The following Python code implements the quartic formula. However, under statement if B4 == 0 : there is code that processes the depressed quartic as a quadratic in $T=t^{2}.$ This ensures that execution of formula does not fail with error Divide by zero at statement for V in ( v1 - B4/u,). # python code import cmath cxSqrt = cmath.sqrt # Square root of complex number. def rootsOfQuartic (abcde) : ''' x1,x2,x3,x4 = rootsOfQuartic ((a,b,c,d,e)) Each member of input must be int or float or Decimal object. Int or Decimal object in input is quietly converted to float. Output may be None. ''' def formatResults (x1x2x3x4) : ''' This function improves appearance of results. (8 + 0j) becomes 8.0 ''' values_of_x = list (x1x2x3x4) for p in (0,1,2,3) : v = values_of_x[p] if isinstance (v, complex) and (v.imag == 0) : values_of_x[p] = v.real return values_of_x status = 0 try : a,b,c,d,e = [ float(v) for v in abcde ] except : status = 1 if status : print ('rootsOfQuartic () 1: Error creating coefficients a,b,c,d,e.') return None if a == 0 : print ('rootsOfQuartic () 2: Coefficient a must be non-zero.') return None # Coefficients of depressed quartic, modified. # A = 16*a*c - 6*b*b A2 = 8*a*c - 3*b*b # B = 64*a*a*d - 32*a*b*c + 8*b*b*b B4 = 16*a*a*d - 8*a*b*c + 2*b*b*b C = 256*a*a*a*e - 64*a*a*b*d + 16*a*b*b*c - 3*b*b*b*b if B4 == 0 : # B = 0. # Result returned from this section is type tuple, indicating that coefficient B4 = 0. if A2==C==0 : # 4 equal roots. root = -b/(4*a) return tuple(formatResults((root,root,root,root))) # t**4 + At**2 + (0)t + C # Depressed quartic is quadratic in T: # T**2 + AT + C where T = t**2 # T**2 + 2(A2)T + C where A = 2(A2) # -2(A2) +/- (4(A2)(A2) - 4C)**0.5 # T = -------------------------------- = -A2 +/- ((A2)(A2) - C)**0.5 # 2 disc = A2*A2 - C if disc >= 0 : root = disc ** 0.5 else : root = ((-disc) ** 0.5) * 1j T1 = -A2 - root ; T2 = -A2 + root t1 = cxSqrt(T1) ; t2 = cxSqrt(T2) values_of_t = (t1,-t1,t2,-t2) values_of_x = [ (-b + t)/(4*a) for t in values_of_t ] return tuple(formatResults(values_of_x)) # B4 is non-zero. Therefore, all of (S, U, u) are non-zero. P,Q,R,S = 1, A2, (A2*A2 - C)/4, -B4*B4/4 # str1 = 'P,Q,R,S' ; print (str1, eval(str1)) U = oneRootOfCubic((P,Q,R,S)) # Resolvent cubic. if U > 0 : sqrtU = U ** 0.5 elif U == 0 : # This should not happen. print ('rootsOfQuartic () 3: Internal error.') return None else : sqrtU = ((-U) ** 0.5) * 1j v1 = -(A2+U) values_of_t = [ t for u in (sqrtU, -sqrtU) for V in ( v1 - B4/u, ) for v in ( cxSqrt(V), ) for t in (u+v, u-v) ] values_of_x = [ (-b + t)/(4*a) for t in values_of_t ] # Result returned from this section is type list, indicating that coefficient B4 != 0. return formatResults(values_of_x) For function oneRootOfCubic() see Cubic_function: In_practice. Examples Python function equalRoots() below implements status as presented under Equal roots above. # python code def equalRoots(abcde) : ''' This function returns True if quartic function contains at least 2 equal roots. ''' a,b,c,d,e = abcde aa = a*a ; aaa = aa*a bb = b*b ; bbb = bb*b ; bbbb = bb*bb cc = c*c ; ccc = cc*c ; cccc = cc*cc ; ccccc = cc*ccc dd = d*d ; ddd = dd*d ; dddd = dd*dd ; ddddd = dd*ddd ; dddddd = ddd*ddd ee = e*e ; eee = ee*e ; eeee = ee*ee v1 = ( +2048*aaa*c*eeee +576*aa*b*ddd*ee +1536*aa*cc*dd*ee +81*aa*dddddd +1152*a*bb*cc*eee +18*a*bb*dddd*e +384*a*b*cc*ddd*e +128*a*ccccc*ee +12*a*ccc*dddd +81*bbbb*dd*ee +144*bbb*cc*d*ee +12*bbb*ddddd +20*bb*ccc*dd*e ) v2 = ( -768*aaa*dd*eee -1536*aa*b*c*d*eee -1024*aa*ccc*eee -648*aa*c*dddd*e -480*a*bb*c*dd*ee -640*a*b*ccc*d*ee -54*a*b*c*ddddd -80*a*cccc*dd*e -216*bbbb*c*eee -86*bbb*c*ddd*e -32*bb*cccc*ee -3*bb*cc*dddd ) return (v1+v2) == 0 t1 = ( ((1, -1, -19, -11, 30), '4 unique, real roots.'), ((4, 4,-119, -60, 675), '4 unique, real roots, B4 = 0.'), ((1, 6, -48,-182, 735), '2 equal roots.'), ((1,-12, 50, -84, 45), '2 equal roots. B4 = 0.'), ((1,-20, 146,-476, 637), '2 equal roots, 2 complex roots.'), ((1,-12, 58,-132, 117), '2 equal roots, 2 complex roots. B4 = 0.'), ((1, -2, -36, 162, -189), '3 equal roots.'), ((1,-20, 150,-500, 625), '4 equal roots. B4 = 0.'), ((1, -6, -11, 60, 100), '2 pairs of equal roots, B4 = 0.'), ((4, 4, -75,-776,-1869), '2 complex roots.'), ((1,-12, 33, 18, -208), '2 complex roots, B4 = 0.'), ((1,-20, 408,2296,18020), '4 complex roots.'), ((1,-12, 83, -282, 442), '4 complex roots, B4 = 0.'), ((1,-12, 62,-156, 169), '2 pairs of equal complex roots, B4 = 0.'), ) for (abcde, comment) in t1 : print () fourRoots = rootsOfQuartic (abcde) print (comment) print (' Coefficients =', abcde) print (' Four roots =', fourRoots) print (' Equal roots detected:', equalRoots(abcde)) # Check results. a,b,c,d,e = abcde for x in fourRoots : # To be exact, a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e = 0 sum = (a*x**4 + b*x**3 + c*x**2 + d*x + e) if sum : # Create exception. 1/0 4 unique, real roots. Coefficients = (1, -1, -19, -11, 30) Four roots = [5.0, 1.0, -2.0, -3.0] Equal roots detected: False 4 unique, real roots, B4 = 0. Coefficients = (4, 4, -119, -60, 675) Four roots = (2.5, -3.0, 4.5, -5.0) Equal roots detected: False 2 equal roots. Coefficients = (1, 6, -48, -182, 735) Four roots = [5.0, 3.0, -7.0, -7.0] Equal roots detected: True 2 equal roots. B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -12, 50, -84, 45) Four roots = (3.0, 3.0, 5.0, 1.0) Equal roots detected: True 2 equal roots, 2 complex roots. Coefficients = (1, -20, 146, -476, 637) Four roots = [7.0, 7.0, (3+2j), (3-2j)] Equal roots detected: True 2 equal roots, 2 complex roots. B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -12, 58, -132, 117) Four roots = ((3+2j), (3-2j), 3.0, 3.0) Equal roots detected: True 3 equal roots. Coefficients = (1, -2, -36, 162, -189) Four roots = [3.0, 3.0, 3.0, -7.0] Equal roots detected: True 4 equal roots. B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -20, 150, -500, 625) Four roots = (5.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0) Equal roots detected: True 2 pairs of equal roots, B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -6, -11, 60, 100) Four roots = (5.0, -2.0, 5.0, -2.0) Equal roots detected: True 2 complex roots. Coefficients = (4, 4, -75, -776, -1869) Four roots = [7.0, -3.0, (-2.5+4j), (-2.5-4j)] Equal roots detected: False 2 complex roots, B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -12, 33, 18, -208) Four roots = ((3+2j), (3-2j), 8.0, -2.0) Equal roots detected: False 4 complex roots. Coefficients = (1, -20, 408, 2296, 18020) Four roots = [(13+19j), (13-19j), (-3+5j), (-3-5j)] Equal roots detected: False 4 complex roots, B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -12, 83, -282, 442) Four roots = ((3+5j), (3-5j), (3+2j), (3-2j)) Equal roots detected: False 2 pairs of equal complex roots, B4 = 0. Coefficients = (1, -12, 62, -156, 169) Four roots = ((3+2j), (3-2j), (3+2j), (3-2j)) Equal roots detected: True When description contains note $B4=0,$ depressed quartic was processed as quadratic in $t^{2}.$

Two Conic Sections

Examples of conic sections include: ellipse, circle, parabola and hyperbola.

This section presents examples of two conic sections, circle and ellipse, and how to calculate the coordinates of the point/s of intersection, if any, of the two sections.

Let one section with name $ABCDEF$ have equation $Ax^{2}+By^{2}+Cxy+Dx+Ey+F=0.$

Let other section with name $abcdef$ have equation $ax^{2}+by^{2}+cxy+dx+ey+f=0.$

Because there can be as many as 4 points of intersection, a special "resolvent" quartic function is used to calculate the $x$ coordinates of the point/s of intersection.

Coefficients of associated "resolvent" quartic are calculated as follows:

# python code

def intersection_of_2_conic_sections (abcdef, ABCDEF) :
    '''
A_,B_,C_,D_,E_ = intersection_of_2_conic_sections (abcdef, ABCDEF)
where A_,B_,C_,D_,E_ are coefficients of associated resolvent quartic function:
y = f(x) = A_*x**4 + B_*x**3 + C_*x**2 + D_*x + E_
    '''
    A,B,C,D,E,F = ABCDEF
    a,b,c,d,e,f = abcdef
    
    G = ((-1)*(B)*(a) + (1)*(A)*(b))
    H = ((-1)*(B)*(d) + (1)*(D)*(b))
    I = ((-1)*(B)*(f) + (1)*(F)*(b))
    J = ((-1)*(C)*(a) + (1)*(A)*(c))
    K = ((-1)*(C)*(d) + (-1)*(E)*(a) + (1)*(A)*(e) + (1)*(D)*(c))
    L = ((-1)*(C)*(f) + (-1)*(E)*(d) + (1)*(D)*(e) + (1)*(F)*(c))
    M = ((-1)*(E)*(f) + (1)*(F)*(e))
    g = ((-1)*(C)*(b) + (1)*(B)*(c))
    h = ((-1)*(E)*(b) + (1)*(B)*(e))
    i = ((-1)*(A)*(b) + (1)*(B)*(a))
    j = ((-1)*(D)*(b) + (1)*(B)*(d))
    k = ((-1)*(F)*(b) + (1)*(B)*(f))

    A_ =   ((-1)*(J)*(g) + (1)*(G)*(i))
    B_ =   ((-1)*(J)*(h) + (-1)*(K)*(g) + (1)*(G)*(j) + (1)*(H)*(i))
    C_ =   ((-1)*(K)*(h) + (-1)*(L)*(g) + (1)*(G)*(k) + (1)*(H)*(j) + (1)*(I)*(i))
    D_ =   ((-1)*(L)*(h) + (-1)*(M)*(g) + (1)*(H)*(k) + (1)*(I)*(j))
    E_ =   ((-1)*(M)*(h) + (1)*(I)*(k))

    str1 = 'y = ({})x^4 + ({})x^3 + ({})x^2 + ({})x + ({}) '.format(A_,B_,C_,D_,E_)
    print (str1)
    
    return A_,B_,C_,D_,E_

With no common point

Two conic sections with no common point. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has no real roots. $y$ axis of quartic function is compressed to illustrate shape of curve. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-6.8x-17.6y+80=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=-x^{4}-16.4x^{3}-432.98x^{2}+6850.532x-22836.7009.$ $f(x)$ has no real roots. Therefore, there is no point of intersection.

With one common point

Two conic sections with one common point. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has two equal, real roots. $y$ axis of quartic function is compressed to illustrate shape of curve. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-6.8x-17.6y+73=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=-x^{4}-16.4x^{3}-432.84x^{2}+7456.48x-24355.36.$ Roots of $f(x)$ are: $(-14-22.978250586152114j),(-14+22.978250586152114j),5.8,5.8.$ $f(x)$ has 2 equal, real roots at $x=5.8,$ effectively 1 real root where $x=5.8$ Therefore, there is one point of intersection where $x=5.8.$

With two common points

Example 1

Two conic sections with two common points. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has two unique, real roots. $y$ axis of quartic function is compressed to illustrate shape of curve. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-6.8x-17.6y+64=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=-x^{4}-16.4x^{3}-432.66x^{2}+8235.556x-26681.1841.$ Roots of $f(x)$ are: $(-14.361578825892241-23.341853011785357j),$ $(-14.361578825892241+23.341853011785357j),$ $4.59885619413921,7.72430145764527.$ $f(x)$ has 2 unique, real roots at $x=4.59885619413921,7.72430145764527.$ Therefore, there are two points of intersections where $x=4.59885619413921,7.72430145764527.$

Example 2

Two conic sections with two common points. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has two pairs of equal roots. $y$ axis of quartic function is compressed to illustrate shape of curve. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-18.8x-1.6y+53=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=-x^{4}+37.6x^{3}-504.24x^{2}+2835.04x-5685.16.$ Roots of $f(x)$ are:$5.8,5.8,13,13.$ $f(x)$ has 2 pairs of equal roots at $x=5.8,13,$ effectively 2 real roots. Therefore, there are two points of intersection where $x=5.8,13.$

With 3 common points

Two conic sections with three common points. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has one pair of equal roots and 2 unique, real roots. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-17.6x-3.2y+55=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=x^{4}-32.2x^{3}+366.69x^{2}-1784.428x+3165.1876.$ Roots of $f(x)$ are:$5.8,5.8,6.83589838486224,13.7641016151377.$ $f(x)$ has 1 pair of equal roots at $x=5.8$ and 2 unique, real roots at $x=6.83589838486224,13.7641016151377,$ effectively 3 real roots. Therefore, there are three points of intersection where $x=5.8,6.83589838486224,13.7641016151377.$

With 4 common points

Two conic sections with four common points. Resolvent quartic function (black curve) has 4 unique, real roots. $y$ axis of quartic function is compressed to illustrate shape of curve. Let ellipse (red curve) have equation:$1.89x^{2}+1.61y^{2}+0.96xy-36.3x-11.6y+130.25=0.$ Let circle (blue curve) have equation:$x^{2}+y^{2}-18.8x-1.6y+62.99=0.$ Then, resolvent quartic function (black curve) has equation: $y=f(x)=-x^{4}+37.6x^{3}-504.4398x^{2}+2838.79624x-5544.61147921.$ Roots of $f(x)$ are:$4.36661032156283,8.77936456353008,10.0206354364699,14.4333896784371.$ $f(x)$ has 4 real roots as shown above. Therefore, there are four points of intersection where $x=4.36661032156283,8.77936456353008,10.0206354364699,14.4333896784371.$

Links to related topics

"Cubic formula" "Complex square root"