Can You Solve this Oxford Entrance Exam Question?

[@ganeshdas3174]

Difference of square and cube equating+ ve means be sure"a" is negative. Test the equation with( - 4) ,other two values from the remaining quadratic equation will give you a smile of victory.

[@RyanLewis-Johnson-wq6xs]

(-4)^2-(-4)^3=80 a^2-a^3=80 a=-4 a=(5±Sqrt[55]i)/2=2.5±0.5Sqrt[55]i

[@RealQinnMalloryu4]

{40 26.2}=42.2 2^2^2.2 1^1^1.2 1.2 (a ➖ 2a+1).

[@madurappankalyanaraman8015]

a should be equal to -4 a² - a³ (-4)² - (-4)³ = 16-(-64) 16+64=80

[@kajalbanerjee8220]

A=minus 4