\[x^{4} - 40x^{2} + 144 = 0\]
\[Пусть\ x^{2} = y \geq 0:\]
\[y^{2} - 40y + 144 = 0\]
\[D = 400 - 144 = 256 = 16^{2}\]
\[y_{1} = 20 + 16 = 36;\ \ \ y_{2} = 20 - 16 = 4.\]
\[Подставим:\]
\[1)\ x^{2} = 36\]
\[x = \pm 6.\]
\[2)\ x^{2} = 4\]
\[x = \pm 2.\]
\[Ответ:x = \pm 2;\ \ x = \pm 6.\]