y^4-y^2=12

Solution for y^4-y^2=12 equation:

Simplifying
y4 + -1y2 = 12

Reorder the terms:
-1y2 + y4 = 12

Solving
-1y2 + y4 = 12

Solving for variable 'y'.

Reorder the terms:
-12 + -1y2 + y4 = 12 + -12

Combine like terms: 12 + -12 = 0
-12 + -1y2 + y4 = 0

Factor a trinomial.
(-3 + -1y2)(4 + -1y2) = 0

Factor a difference between two squares.
(-3 + -1y2)((2 + y)(2 + -1y)) = 0

Subproblem 1
Set the factor '(-3 + -1y2)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
-3 + -1y2 = 0

Solving
-3 + -1y2 = 0

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

Add '3' to each side of the equation.
-3 + 3 + -1y2 = 0 + 3

Combine like terms: -3 + 3 = 0
0 + -1y2 = 0 + 3
-1y2 = 0 + 3

Combine like terms: 0 + 3 = 3
-1y2 = 3

Divide each side by '-1'.
y2 = -3

Simplifying
y2 = -3

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 '(2 + y)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
2 + y = 0

Solving
2 + y = 0

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

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

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

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

Simplifying
y = -2
Subproblem 3
Set the factor '(2 + -1y)' equal to zero and attempt to solve:

Simplifying
2 + -1y = 0

Solving
2 + -1y = 0

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

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

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

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

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

Simplifying
y = 2
Solution
y = {-2, 2}