Question
If x = \sqrt[3]{25}+\sqrt[3]{20}+\sqrt[3]{16} ,
find the value of x -\dfrac{1}{x^2}
If x = \sqrt[3]{25}+\sqrt[3]{20}+\sqrt[3]{16} ,
find the value of x -\dfrac{1}{x^2}
x = \sqrt[3]{25}+\sqrt[3]{20}+\sqrt[3]{16}
= \sqrt[3]{5^2}+\sqrt[3]{4\cdot 5 }+\sqrt[3]{4^2}
Let
a = \sqrt[3]{5}
b=\sqrt[3]{4}
Therefore
x = a^2+ab+b^2
Using the difference of cubes formula
a^3-b^3 = (a-b)(a^2+ab+b^2)
5-4 = (a-b)x = 1
x=\dfrac{1}{a-b}
Find the reciprocal of x
\dfrac{1}{x} = a-b
Take square of \dfrac{1}{x} and substitute a^2+ab+b^2 back to x
\dfrac{1}{x^2} = a^2-2ab+b^2 =a^2+ab+b^2-3ab = x-3ab
Then,
x-\dfrac{1}{x^2} = x-(x-3ab) =3ab = 3\sqrt[3]{20}