Exercises 82–84 will help you prepare for the material covered in the next section. Solve: x2+4x−1=0
Table of contents
- 0. Review of Algebra4h 18m
- 1. Equations & Inequalities3h 18m
- 2. Graphs of Equations1h 43m
- 3. Functions2h 17m
- 4. Polynomial Functions1h 44m
- 5. Rational Functions1h 23m
- 6. Exponential & Logarithmic Functions2h 28m
- 7. Systems of Equations & Matrices4h 5m
- 8. Conic Sections2h 23m
- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 22m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
4. Polynomial Functions
Zeros of Polynomial Functions
Problem 93
Textbook Question
Determine the different possibilities for the numbers of positive, negative, and nonreal complex zeros of each function.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the degree of the polynomial function \(f(x) = 7x^5 + 6x^4 + 2x^3 + 9x^2 + x + 5\). The degree is the highest power of \(x\), which is 5 in this case.
Use Descartes' Rule of Signs to determine the possible number of positive real zeros. Count the number of sign changes in the coefficients of \(f(x)\): \$7, +6, +2, +9, +1, +5$. Since all coefficients are positive, there are 0 sign changes, so there are 0 positive real zeros.
Apply Descartes' Rule of Signs to \(f(-x)\) to find the possible number of negative real zeros. Substitute \(-x\) into \(f(x)\) and simplify the signs of each term: \$7(-x)^5 + 6(-x)^4 + 2(-x)^3 + 9(-x)^2 + (-x) + 5 = -7x^5 + 6x^4 - 2x^3 + 9x^2 - x + 5\(. Count the sign changes in the sequence \)-7, +6, -2, +9, -1, +5$.
Determine the possible number of negative real zeros by counting the sign changes in \(f(-x)\). Each sign change corresponds to a possible negative zero, and the actual number of negative zeros is either equal to the number of sign changes or less than it by an even number.
Use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra to find the total number of zeros (counting multiplicities), which is equal to the degree (5). Subtract the possible number of positive and negative real zeros from 5 to find the possible number of nonreal complex zeros.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
This theorem states that a polynomial of degree n has exactly n roots in the complex number system, counting multiplicities. It ensures that the polynomial ƒ(x) = 7x^5 + 6x^4 + 2x^3 + 9x^2 + x + 5 has five roots, which can be real or nonreal complex numbers.
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Descartes' Rule of Signs
Descartes' Rule of Signs helps determine the possible number of positive and negative real zeros of a polynomial by counting sign changes in ƒ(x) and ƒ(-x). It provides the maximum number of positive and negative roots and narrows down the possibilities for the polynomial's zeros.
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Complex Conjugate Root Theorem
This theorem states that nonreal complex roots of polynomials with real coefficients occur in conjugate pairs. Therefore, the number of nonreal complex zeros must be even, which helps in determining the possible distribution of real and nonreal roots for the given polynomial.
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