Precalculus (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 013421742X
ISBN 13: 978-0-13421-742-0

Chapter 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - 3.3 Zeros of Polynomial Functions - 3.3 Exercises - Page 337: 53

Answer

$\color{blue}{\bf{f(x)=-3x^3+6x^2+33x-36}}$

Work Step by Step

We are given three zeros of a polynomial and the value of the function for a given ${x}$: Our zeros are $\bf-3$, $\bf{1}$, and $\bf{4}$, so let's make them into factors of our polynomial. If $\bf-3$ is a zero then: $(-3+n)=0$ $n=3$ so our factor is $\bf{(x+3)}$ because when $x=\bf-3$, $(x+3)=0$ If $\bf1$ is a zero then $(1+n)=0$ $n=-1$ so our factor is $\bf{(x-1)}$ because when $x=\bf1$, $(x-1)=0$ If $\bf4$ is a zero then $(4+n)=0$ $n=-4$ so our factor is $\bf{(x-4)}$ because when $x=\bf4$, $(x-4)=0$ Now we have three factors of our 3rd degree polynomial: $\bf{(x+3)(x-1)(x-4)}$, which, multiplied by some unknown factor $a$, make up our function: $f(x)=a(x+3)(x-1)(x-4)$ If $f(2)=30$ then ${(2+3)(2-1)(2-4)}$ times some number $a$, equals $30$ or: $f(2)=30=a(2+3)(2-1)(2-4)$ $30=a(5)(1)(-2)$ $30=a(-10)$ $\dfrac{30}{-10}=a\dfrac{-10}{-10}$ $-3=a$ Now that we have the value of $a$, we can find $f(x)$ $f(x)=-3(x+3)(x-1)(x-4)$ $f(x)=-3(x+3)(x^2-5x+4)$ $f(x)=-3(x^3-2x^2-11x+12)$ $$\color{blue}{\bf{f(x)=-3x^3+6x^2+33x-36}}$$
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