# How to solve $x^2+4x+2 \equiv 0 \pmod{49}$

How to decompose equations below and then solve

1)$$2x^3 + 7x - 4 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}$$

2)$$x^2+4x+2 \equiv 0 \pmod{49}$$

Thank you.

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Are you asking if those equations factor mod n? Do you know about finite fields? –  Zach L. Dec 4 '12 at 12:48
I want to get roots and i don't know anything about finite fields? –  misi10 Dec 4 '12 at 13:02
Do keep in mind that neither $25$ nor $49$ is a prime, so the product of two non-zero things can be zero in those rings. Another thing is that there is always "completing the square" trick, so the latter polynomial $$x^2+4x+2=x^2+4x+4−2=(x+2)^2−2\equiv(x+2)^2−100 \pmod{49}$$ can be written as a difference of two squares and hence factored. With the first polynomial I would just brute force find its zeros modulo $5$, and then check whether these come from roots modulo $25$. Remember that if $a$ is a root modulo $25$, then it's also a root modulo $5$. –  Jyrki Lahtonen Dec 4 '12 at 13:25
If a is a root of modulo 5 then is's also a root module 5? can you explain more 1) ? –  misi10 Dec 4 '12 at 13:39
Following @JyrkiLahtonen's hint: $\,a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)\,$ , which is true modulo any natural... –  DonAntonio Dec 4 '12 at 13:42

Completing the square $\rm\ mod\ 49\!:\ x^2\!+4x+2 = (x+2)^2\!-2 \equiv (x+2)^2\! - 10^2 \equiv (x-8)(x+12).\:$ Therefore $\rm\: 7^2\mid (x-8)(x+12)\:\Rightarrow\: 7^2\mid x-8\$ or $\rm\ 7^2\mid x+12\$ or $\rm\ 7\mid x-8,\, x+12.\:$ The last case is impossible since it implies that $\rm\:mod\ 7\!:\,\ 8\equiv x\equiv -12.$
Quite likely, the first problem is a misprint for $\rm\:f = 2x^\color{#C00}2+7x-4.\:$ Using the AC method, with $\rm\: X = 2x,\:$ we have $\rm\:2f = X^2+7X-8 = (X+8)(X-1) = (2x+8)(2x-1),\:$ therefore $\rm\: f = (x+4)(2x-1).\:$ Now, as above, apply a case analysis to $\rm\ 5^2\!\mid (x+4)(2x-1).$