How do you solve the equation and identify any extraneous solutions for (3x^3)/4=192?

1 Answer
Jun 6, 2015

Multiply both sides by 4/3 to get:

x^3 = 256 = 2^8

This has one real solution:

x = 2^(8/3) = 4root(3)(4)

In case you are curious, the other two complex roots are:

4omega root(3)(4) and 4omega^2 root(3)(4)

where omega = -1/2+sqrt(3)/2i

is called the primitive cube root of unity.

omega features in general solutions of cubic equations.