To solve this equation, we need to use algebraic methods to isolate the variable x on one side of the equation. First, we can combine like terms on the left-hand side of the equation:
x^3 - 5x^2 - x + 5 = 0
Next, we can try to factor the equation, looking for factors that will make the equation equal to zero. By trial and error, we can see that (x-1) is a factor of the equation:
(x-1)(x^2 - 4x - 5) = 0
Now we can use the zero product property, which tells us that if the product of two factors is zero, then at least one of the factors must be zero. So we can set each factor equal to zero and solve for x:
x-1 = 0 or x^2 - 4x - 5 = 0
Solving for x-1, we get x = 1.
Solving for x in the quadratic equation, we can use the quadratic formula:
x = (-b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a
In this case, a = 1, b = -4, and c = -5. Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:
x = (-(-4) ± sqrt((-4)^2 - 4(1)(-5))) / 2(1)
Simplifying, we get:
x = (4 ± sqrt(36)) / 2
x = (4 ± 6) / 2
x = 5 or x = -1
Therefore, the solutions for x are 1, 5, and -1.