<s>[INST] Find minimum value of $a^2+b^2$ Given that $a$ and $b$ are real constants and that the equation $x^4+ax^3+2x^2+bx+1=0$ has at least one real root, find the minimum possible value of $a^2+b^2$.
I began this way: Let the polynomial be factorized as $(x^2+\alpha x + 1)(x^2+\beta x +1)$. Then expanding and comparing coefficients we get $\alpha\beta=0$, meaning either $\alpha=0$ or $\beta=0$. Suppose $\alpha=0$. Then we see that $(x^2+\beta x+1)$ should have real roots, from which we get $\beta^2 \geq 4$. But we get $a=b=\beta$ from the comparison above. So $a^2+b^2 = 2\beta^2 \geq 8$.
Is it correct? Or is there any mistake? Any other solution is also welcome.
 [/INST] I would write first $(x^2+cx+d) (x^2+ex+f) $ and then find $c, d, e, f$ in terms of $a, b$.
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