Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 16m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 6m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 19m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
4. Polynomial Functions
Zeros of Polynomial Functions
Problem 9
Textbook Question
In Exercises 9–16, a) List all possible rational zeros. b) Use synthetic division to test the possible rational zeros and find an actual zero. c) Use the quotient from part (b) to find the remaining zeros of the polynomial function. f(x)=x^3+x^2−4x−4
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1
<b>Step 1:</b> Identify the possible rational zeros using the Rational Root Theorem. The possible rational zeros are the factors of the constant term divided by the factors of the leading coefficient. For the polynomial \( f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 4x - 4 \), the constant term is \(-4\) and the leading coefficient is \(1\). Therefore, the possible rational zeros are \( \pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 4 \).
<b>Step 2:</b> Use synthetic division to test each possible rational zero. Start with \(x = 1\). Set up the synthetic division with the coefficients \(1, 1, -4, -4\). Perform the synthetic division to see if the remainder is zero.
<b>Step 3:</b> If \(x = 1\) is not a zero, continue testing the other possible rational zeros \(x = -1, 2, -2, 4, -4\) using synthetic division until you find one that results in a remainder of zero. This will confirm an actual zero of the polynomial.
<b>Step 4:</b> Once an actual zero is found, use the quotient from the successful synthetic division to form a new polynomial. This quotient will be a quadratic polynomial since the original was cubic.
<b>Step 5:</b> Solve the quadratic polynomial obtained in Step 4 using the quadratic formula, factoring, or completing the square to find the remaining zeros of the original polynomial function.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rational Root Theorem
The Rational Root Theorem provides a method for identifying all possible rational zeros of a polynomial function. It states that any rational solution, expressed as a fraction p/q, must have p as a factor of the constant term and q as a factor of the leading coefficient. This theorem helps narrow down the candidates for testing potential zeros.
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Rational Exponents
Synthetic Division
Synthetic division is a simplified form of polynomial long division that allows for efficient division of a polynomial by a linear factor. It involves using the coefficients of the polynomial and the potential zero to perform calculations that yield the quotient and remainder. If the remainder is zero, the tested value is a root of the polynomial.
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Finding Remaining Zeros
Once an actual zero is found using synthetic division, the polynomial can be expressed as a product of the linear factor corresponding to the zero and a reduced polynomial. The remaining zeros can then be found by factoring or using the quadratic formula on the resulting polynomial, allowing for a complete solution to the original polynomial equation.
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