a^4-20a^2+64=0

Solution for a^4-20a^2+64=0 equation:

Simplifying
a4 + -20a2 + 64 = 0

Reorder the terms:
64 + -20a2 + a4 = 0

Solving
64 + -20a2 + a4 = 0

Solving for variable 'a'.

Factor a trinomial.
(4 + -1a2)(16 + -1a2) = 0

Factor a difference between two squares.
((2 + a)(2 + -1a))(16 + -1a2) = 0

Factor a difference between two squares.
((4 + a)(4 + -1a))(2 + a)(2 + -1a) = 0

Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(2 + a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
2 + a = 0

Solving
2 + a = 0

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

Add '-2' to each side of the equation.
2 + -2 + a = 0 + -2

Combine like terms: 2 + -2 = 0
0 + a = 0 + -2
a = 0 + -2

Combine like terms: 0 + -2 = -2
a = -2

Simplifying
a = -2
Subproblem 2
Set the factor '(2 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
2 + -1a = 0

Solving
2 + -1a = 0

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

Add '-2' to each side of the equation.
2 + -2 + -1a = 0 + -2

Combine like terms: 2 + -2 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + -2
-1a = 0 + -2

Combine like terms: 0 + -2 = -2
-1a = -2

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = 2

Simplifying
a = 2
Subproblem 3
Set the factor '(4 + a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
4 + a = 0

Solving
4 + a = 0

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

Add '-4' to each side of the equation.
4 + -4 + a = 0 + -4

Combine like terms: 4 + -4 = 0
0 + a = 0 + -4
a = 0 + -4

Combine like terms: 0 + -4 = -4
a = -4

Simplifying
a = -4
Subproblem 4
Set the factor '(4 + -1a)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
4 + -1a = 0

Solving
4 + -1a = 0

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

Add '-4' to each side of the equation.
4 + -4 + -1a = 0 + -4

Combine like terms: 4 + -4 = 0
0 + -1a = 0 + -4
-1a = 0 + -4

Combine like terms: 0 + -4 = -4
-1a = -4

Divide each side by '-1'.
a = 4

Simplifying
a = 4
Solution
a = {-2, 2, -4, 4}