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 50a
Textbook Question
In Exercises 49–50, find all the zeros of each polynomial function and write the polynomial as a product of linear factors. g(x) = x^4 - 6x^3 + x^2 + 24x + 16
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Step 1: Use the Rational Root Theorem to list all possible rational roots of the polynomial. The possible rational roots are the factors of the constant term (16) divided by the factors of the leading coefficient (1).
Step 2: Test each possible rational root by substituting them into the polynomial \( g(x) = x^4 - 6x^3 + x^2 + 24x + 16 \) to see which ones are actual roots.
Step 3: Once a root is found, use synthetic division to divide the polynomial by \( x - \text{root} \) to reduce the polynomial's degree.
Step 4: Repeat the process of finding roots and using synthetic division on the resulting polynomial until it is reduced to a quadratic or linear factor.
Step 5: Factor the remaining quadratic polynomial, if necessary, to find all zeros and express the original polynomial as a product of linear factors.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables multiplied by coefficients. The general form is f(x) = a_n*x^n + a_(n-1)*x^(n-1) + ... + a_1*x + a_0, where a_n is not zero. Understanding polynomial functions is crucial for analyzing their behavior, including finding zeros, which are the values of x that make the function equal to zero.
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Finding Zeros
Finding the zeros of a polynomial involves determining the values of x for which the polynomial equals zero. This can be achieved through various methods, including factoring, using the Rational Root Theorem, or applying synthetic division. Zeros are essential as they indicate the x-intercepts of the graph of the polynomial and are key to expressing the polynomial as a product of linear factors.
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Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials is the process of breaking down a polynomial into simpler components, specifically linear factors. For a polynomial of degree n, it can be expressed as a product of n linear factors if it has n zeros. This is important for simplifying expressions and solving equations, as well as for understanding the polynomial's roots and their multiplicities.
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