Exercises 53–60 show incomplete graphs of given polynomial functions. a) Find all the zeros of each function. b) Without using a graphing utility, draw a complete graph of the function. f(x)=3x5+2x4−15x3−10x2+12x+8
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 90
Textbook Question
Determine the different possibilities for the numbers of positive, negative, and nonreal complex zeros of each function. See Example 7. ƒ(x)=11x5-x3+7x-5
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the degree of the polynomial function \(f(x) = 11x^5 - x^3 + 7x - 5\). The degree is 5, which means there are 5 zeros in total (counting multiplicities and including complex zeros).
Use Descartes' Rule of Signs to determine the possible number of positive real zeros. Count the number of sign changes in \(f(x) = 11x^5 - x^3 + 7x - 5\) by looking at the coefficients: \(+11\), \(-1\), \(+7\), \(-5\).
Apply Descartes' Rule of Signs to \(f(-x)\) to find the possible number of negative real zeros. Substitute \(-x\) into the function and simplify the signs of the terms, then count the sign changes in \(f(-x)\).
List all possible numbers of positive and negative real zeros based on the counts from steps 2 and 3, remembering that the number of zeros decreases by even numbers (e.g., if there are 3 sign changes, possible zeros are 3 or 1).
Determine the number of nonreal complex zeros by subtracting the total number of positive and negative real zeros from the degree 5, since the total number of zeros (real and complex) must equal the degree.
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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. For the given fifth-degree polynomial, there are five zeros total, 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 f(x) and f(-x). It provides an upper bound on the number of positive and negative roots, aiding in identifying possible zero distributions.
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Complex Conjugate Root Theorem
This theorem states that nonreal complex zeros of polynomials with real coefficients occur in conjugate pairs. Therefore, the number of nonreal zeros must be even, which restricts the possible combinations of positive, negative, and nonreal zeros for the polynomial.
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