\[x^{4} - 17x^{2} + 16 = 0\]
\[Пусть\ x^{2} = y \geq 0:\]
\[y^{2} - 17y + 16 = 0\]
\[y_{1} + y_{2} = 17;\ \ \ y_{1} \cdot y_{2} = 16\]
\[y_{1} = 1;\ \ y_{2} = 16.\]
\[Подставим:\]
\[1)\ y = 1:\]
\[x^{2} = 1\]
\[x = \pm 1.\]
\[2)\ y = 16:\]
\[x^{2} = 16\]
\[x = \pm 4.\]
\[Ответ:\ \ x = \pm 1;\ \ x = \pm 4.\]