17y^4-y^2-16=0

Solution for 17y^4-y^2-16=0 equation:

Simplifying
17y4 + -1y2 + -16 = 0

Reorder the terms:
-16 + -1y2 + 17y4 = 0

Solving
-16 + -1y2 + 17y4 = 0

Solving for variable 'y'.

Factor a trinomial.
(-16 + -17y2)(1 + -1y2) = 0

Factor a difference between two squares.
(-16 + -17y2)((1 + y)(1 + -1y)) = 0

Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-16 + -17y2)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-16 + -17y2 = 0

Solving
-16 + -17y2 = 0

Move all terms containing y to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '16' to each side of the equation.
-16 + 16 + -17y2 = 0 + 16

Combine like terms: -16 + 16 = 0
0 + -17y2 = 0 + 16
-17y2 = 0 + 16

Combine like terms: 0 + 16 = 16
-17y2 = 16

Divide each side by '-17'.
y2 = -0.9411764706

Simplifying
y2 = -0.9411764706

The solution to this equation could not be determined.

This subproblem is being ignored because a solution could not be determined.
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(1 + y)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
1 + y = 0

Solving
1 + y = 0

Move all terms containing y to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-1' to each side of the equation.
1 + -1 + y = 0 + -1

Combine like terms: 1 + -1 = 0
0 + y = 0 + -1
y = 0 + -1

Combine like terms: 0 + -1 = -1
y = -1

Simplifying
y = -1
Subproblem 3
Set the factor '(1 + -1y)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
1 + -1y = 0

Solving
1 + -1y = 0

Move all terms containing y to the left, all other terms to the right.

Add '-1' to each side of the equation.
1 + -1 + -1y = 0 + -1

Combine like terms: 1 + -1 = 0
0 + -1y = 0 + -1
-1y = 0 + -1

Combine like terms: 0 + -1 = -1
-1y = -1

Divide each side by '-1'.
y = 1

Simplifying
y = 1
Solution
y = {-1, 1}