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Ch. 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 4, Problem 11

Solve each polynomial inequality in Exercises 1–42 and graph the solution set on a real number line. Express each solution set in interval notation. 3x2+10x−8≤0

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1
Start by writing down the inequality: \(3x^{2} + 10x - 8 \leq 0\).
To solve the inequality, first find the roots of the corresponding quadratic equation \$3x^{2} + 10x - 8 = 0\( by using the quadratic formula: \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2} - 4ac}}{2a}\), where \)a=3\(, \)b=10\(, and \)c=-8$.
Calculate the discriminant \(\Delta = b^{2} - 4ac = 10^{2} - 4 \times 3 \times (-8)\) to determine the nature of the roots.
Find the two roots by substituting the values into the quadratic formula. These roots will divide the real number line into intervals.
Test a value from each interval in the original inequality \(3x^{2} + 10x - 8 \leq 0\) to determine which intervals satisfy the inequality, then express the solution set in interval notation and graph it on the real number line.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polynomial Inequalities

Polynomial inequalities involve expressions where a polynomial is compared to zero or another value using inequality symbols (>, <, ≥, ≤). Solving them requires finding the values of the variable that make the inequality true, often by analyzing the sign of the polynomial over different intervals.
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Factoring Quadratic Polynomials

Factoring is the process of rewriting a quadratic polynomial as a product of two binomials. This helps identify the roots (zeros) of the polynomial, which are critical points for determining where the polynomial changes sign in inequalities.
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Interval Notation and Number Line Graphing

Interval notation is a concise way to represent sets of real numbers, especially solution sets of inequalities. Graphing on a number line visually shows where the polynomial satisfies the inequality, using open or closed dots to indicate whether endpoints are included.
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