OhMyCalc

Biquadratic Equation Solver

Solve biquadratic equations of the form ax⁴ + bx² + c = 0 using the substitution t = x². Get the discriminant, intermediate roots, and all real solutions step by step.

ax⁴ + bx² + c = 0

How to Use the Biquadratic Equation Solver

  1. Enter the numbers or values in the input fields.
  2. The result is calculated and displayed automatically.
  3. Review the step-by-step solution or detailed breakdown.
  4. Copy the result or adjust inputs for a new calculation.

Quick Reference

FromTo
x² + 5x + 6 = 0x = −2, −3
x² − 4 = 0x = 2, −2
2x² − 3x − 2 = 0x = 2, −0.5
x² − 1 = 0x = 1, −1
x² + 2x + 1 = 0x = −1
x² − 5x + 6 = 0x = 2, 3

Use Cases

Formula

A biquadratic equation ax⁴ + bx² + c = 0 is solved by substituting t = x², yielding the quadratic at² + bt + c = 0. Solve for t using the quadratic formula, then find x = ±√t for each positive value of t. Up to 4 real roots are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a biquadratic equation?
A biquadratic equation has the form ax⁴ + bx² + c = 0. It contains only even powers of x, which allows it to be reduced to a quadratic equation by substituting t = x².
How many roots can a biquadratic equation have?
A biquadratic equation can have 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 real roots. The number depends on the discriminant and the signs of the intermediate t values.
What if both t values are negative?
If both solutions for t are negative, then there are no real roots for x, since x² cannot be negative in real numbers.
Can a be zero?
No. If a = 0, the equation is no longer biquadratic — it becomes a standard quadratic bx² + c = 0 instead.