Reynaldo B. Pantino, T2
Finding the Zeros of a Polynomial Function
Objectives
1.) To determine the zeros of polynomial functions of degree greater than 2 by;
a.) factor theoremb.) factoringc.) synthetic divisiond.) depressed equations
2.)To determine the zeros of polynomial functions of degree n greater than 2 expressed as a product of linear factors.
Recapitulations
What is remainder theorem?
What is synthetic division?
What is factoring?
What is zero of a function?
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
The zero of a polynomial function P(x) is the value of the variable x, which makes polynomial function equal to zero or P(x) = 0.
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
The fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that “Every rational polynomial function
P(x) = 0 of degree n has exactly n zeros”.
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
When a polynomial is expressed as a product of linear factors, it is easy to find the zeros of the related function considering the principle of zero products.
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
The principle of zero product state that, for all real numbers a and b, ab = 0 if and only if a = 0 or b = 0, or both.
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
The degree of a polynomial function corresponds to the number of zeros of the polynomial.
Discussions
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
A depressed equation of P is an equation which has a degree less that of P.
Discussions
Illustrative Example 1Find the zeros of P(x) = (x – 3)(x + 2)(x – 1)(x + 1). Solution: (Use the principle of zero
products)P(x) = 0; that is
x - 3 = 0 x + 2 = 0 x - 1 = 0x + 1 = 0
x = 3 x = -2 x = 1 x = -1
Discussions
Illustrative Example 2Find the zeros of P(x) = (x + 1)(x + 1)(x +1)(x – 2)Solution: (By zero product principle)we have, P(x) = 0 the zeros are -1
and 2.The factor (x + 1) occurs 3 times. In this
case, the zero -1 has a multiplicity of 3.
Discussions
Illustrative Example 3Find the zeros of P(x) = (x + 2)3(x2
– 9).Solution: (By factoring)we have, P(x) = (x +2)(x+2)(x+2)(x –
3)(x + 3).The zeros are;
-2, 3, -3,
where -2 has a multiplicity of 3.
Discussions
Illustrative Example 4 Function Zeros No.
of Zero
sP(x) = x – 4
P(x) = x2 + 8x + 15P(x) = x3 -2x2 – 4x + 8
P(x) = x4 – 2x2 + 1
4 1
32, -2, 2
-3, -5 2
1,1,-1,-1 4
Discussions
Illustrative Example 4 Solve for the zeros of P(x) = x3 + 8x2 + 19x + 12, given that one
zero is -1.Solution: By factor theorem, x + 1 is a factor
of x3 + 8x2 + 19x + 12.
Then; P(x) = x3 + 8x2 + 19x + 12= (x+1)● Q(x).
Discussions
Illustrative Example 4 (Continuation of solution)
To determine Q(x), divide x3 + 8x2 + 19x + 12 by
(x + 1). By synthetic division;-1-1 11 88 1919 1212
11-1-177
-7-71212
-12-1200
Discussions
The equation x2 + 7x + 12 is a depressed equation of P(x). To find the remaining zeros use this depressed equation.By factoring we have;
x2 + 7x + 12 = 0(x +3)(x + 4) = 0 x = -3 and x = -4
Therefore; the three zeros are -1, -3, and -4.
Observe that a polynomial function of degree 3 has
exactly three zeros.
Illustrative Example 4 (Continuation of solution)
Exercises
1. Solve for the other zeros ofP(x) = x4 – x3 – 11x2 + 9x + 18, given that one zero is -3.
2. Solve for the other zeros ofP(x) = x3 – 2x2 – 3x + 10, given that – 2 is a zero.
Activity Numbers
Which of the numbers -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3 are zeros of the following polynomials?
1.) f(x) = x3 + x2 + x + 12.) g(x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 63.) h(x) = x3 – 7x + 6 4.) f(x) = 3x3 + 8x2 – 2x + 3 5.) g(x) = x3 + 3x2 – x – 3
Activity Factors
Which of the binomials (x – 1), (x + 1), (x – 4), (x + 3) are factors of the given polynomials.
1.) x3 + x2 - 7x + 52.) 2x3 + 5x2 + 4x + 13.) 3x3 – 12x2 + 2x – 8 4.) 4x4 - x3 + 2x2 + x – 3 5.) 4x4 + 5x3 - 14x2 – 4x + 3
Activity Zeros
Find the remaining zeros of the polynomial function, real or imaginary, given one of its zeros.1.) P(x) = x3 + 5x2 - 2x – 24 x = 22.) P(x) = x3 - x2 - 7x + 3 x = 33.) P(x) = x3 – 8x2 + 20x – 16 x = 24.) P(x) = x3 + 5x2 - 9x – 45 x = -55.) P(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1 x = -1
Assignments
On page 103, answers numbers 6, 12, 18,19, & 20.Ref. Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry & Statistics
What is rational Zero Theorm? Pp. 105