Solve for x x^4-16=0

$x^{4} - 16 = 0$

Step 1

Add $16$ to both sides of the equation.

$x^{4} = 16$

Step 2

Take the specified root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x = \pm \sqrt[4]{16}$

Step 3

Simplify $\pm \sqrt[4]{16}$ .

Rewrite $16$ as $2^{4}$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt[4]{2^{4}}$

Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.

$x = \pm 2$

Step 4

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

First, use the positive value of the $\pm$ to find the first solution.

$x = 2$

Next, use the negative value of the $\pm$ to find the second solution.

$x = - 2$

The complete solution is the result of both the positive and negative portions of the solution.

$x = 2, - 2$