Find a polynomial function ƒ(x) of least degree having only real coefficients and zeros as given. Assume multiplicity 1 unless otherwise stated. 5+i and 5-i
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- 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
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- 9. Sequences, Series, & Induction1h 22m
- 10. Combinatorics & Probability1h 45m
4. Polynomial Functions
Zeros of Polynomial Functions
Problem 92
Textbook Question
Determine the different possibilities for the numbers of positive, negative, and nonreal complex zeros of each function. See Example 7. ƒ(x)=9x6-7x4+8x2+x+6
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the degree of the polynomial function \(f(x) = 9x^6 - 7x^4 + 8x^2 + x + 6\). The degree is the highest power of \(x\), which is 6 in this case.
Use Descartes' Rule of Signs to determine the possible number of positive real zeros. Count the number of sign changes in \(f(x)\): \$9x^6\( (positive), \)-7x^4\( (negative), \)+8x^2\( (positive), \)+x\( (positive), \)+6$ (positive). Each sign change indicates a possible positive zero, and the actual number of positive zeros is either equal to the number of sign changes or less than it by an even number.
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 each term, then count the sign changes in \(f(-x)\). The number of negative zeros is either equal to the number of sign changes or less than it by an even number.
Recall that the total number of zeros (counting multiplicities) is equal to the degree of the polynomial, which is 6. Use this to find the number of nonreal complex zeros by subtracting the possible numbers of positive and negative real zeros from 6.
Summarize the possible combinations of positive, negative, and nonreal complex zeros based on the results from the previous steps, keeping in mind that the number of zeros must add up to 6 and that the number of positive and negative zeros can decrease by even numbers from the counts found by Descartes' Rule of Signs.
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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) = 9x^6 - 7x^4 + 8x^2 + x + 6 has six 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 a way to estimate how many positive and negative roots the polynomial can have.
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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 roots must be even, which helps in determining the distribution of real and nonreal zeros for the given polynomial.
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