UPSC Prelims 2001·GS1·science-and-technology·science and technology

Solve the given equations: x2 + y2 = 34 x4 - y4 = 544 The values of x and y are

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A±4, ±3
  2. B±5, ±3Correct
  3. C±3, ±5
  4. D±3, ±4

Explanation

To solve this problem, use the algebraic identity for the difference of squares: x raised to the power of 4 minus y raised to the power of 4 can be written as the product of x squared plus y squared and x squared minus y squared. Given that x squared plus y squared equals 34, substitute this into the equation 544 equals 34 times the quantity x squared minus y squared. Dividing 544 by 34 gives 16. Therefore, x squared minus y squared equals 16. Now you have two simple equations: 1. x squared plus y squared equals 34 2. x squared minus y squared equals 16 Adding these two equations gives 2 times x squared equals 50, so x squared equals 25. This means x equals plus or minus 5. Subtracting the second equation from the first gives 2 times y squared equals 18, so y squared equals 9. This means y equals plus or minus 3. Thus, the values are x equals plus or minus 5 and y equals plus or minus 3, which corresponds to option B.
science-and-technology: Solve the given equations: x2 + y2 = 34 x4 - y4 = 544 The values of x and y are

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