Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus, 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305071751
ISBN 13: 978-1-30507-175-9

Chapter 3 - Section 3.4 - Real Zeros of Polynomials - 3.4 Exercises - Page 284: 29

Answer

Zeros:$ \quad \displaystyle \pm 3,\quad\pm\frac{1}{2}$ $P(x)=(2x+1)(2x-1)(x+3)(x-3)$

Work Step by Step

Possible rational zeros: $\displaystyle \quad \frac{p}{q}$ where$\left\{\begin{array}{llll} p: & \pm 1 & \pm 3, & \pm 9\\ q: & \pm 1 & \pm 2 & \end{array}\right.$ $P(x)$ has two sign changes, we expect 2 or 0 positive real zeros. With synthetic division, we try the integers first. 1 is not a zero ... next up, 3: $\begin{array}{rrrrrr} 3 \rceil & 4 & 0 & -37 & 0 & 9 \\ & & 12 & 36 & -3 & -9 \\ \hline & 4 & 12 & -1 & -3 & 0 \\ & & & & & \\ & & & & & \\ -3 \rceil & 4 & 12 & -1 & -3 & \\ & & -12 & 0 & 3 & \\ \hline & 4 & 0 & -1 & 0 & \\ & & & & & \\ & & & & & \\ 1/2 \rceil & 4 & 0 & -1 & & \\ & & 2 & 1 & & \\ \hline & 4 & 2 & 0 & & \\ & & & & & \\ & & & & & \\ - 1/2 \rceil & 4 & 2 & & & \\ & & -2 & & & \\ \hline & 4 & 0 & & & \\ \end{array}$ Zeros:$ \quad \displaystyle \pm 3,\quad\pm\frac{1}{2}$ $P(x)=4(x+\displaystyle \frac{1}{2})(x-\frac{1}{2})(x+3)(x-3)$ $=2(x+\displaystyle \frac{1}{2})\cdot 2(x-\frac{1}{2})(x+3)(x-3)$ $=(2x+1)(2x-1)(x+3)(x-3)$
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