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: 47

Answer

zeros:$\displaystyle \qquad -1,\ 4,\ \frac{3\pm\sqrt{13}}{2}$

Work Step by Step

$P(x)=x^{4}-6x^{3}+4x^{2}+15x+4,$ ($2$ sign variations, we expect $2$ or $0$ real zero) $P(-x)=x^{4}+6x^{3}+4x^{2}-15x+4,$ ($2$ sign variations, we expect $2$ or $0$ negative real zeros) $a_{0}=4 \quad $p: $\pm 1,\pm 2,\pm 4$ $a_{n}=1,\qquad $q: $\pm 1,$ Possible rational zeros $\displaystyle \frac{p}{q}:\quad$ with synthetic division, we try$ \pm$1, $\pm$2,... $\begin{array}{r|rrrrrrrrrrr}\hline -1 & 1 & -6 & 4 & 15 & 4 & & \\ & & -1 & 7 & -11 & -4 & & \\ \hline & 1 & -7 & 11 & 4 & 0 & & \\ & & & & & & & \\ 4 & 1 & -7 & 11 & 4 & & & \\ & & 4 & -12 & -4 & & & \\ \hline & 1 & -3 & -1 & 0 & & & \\ \end{array}$ $P(x)=(x+1)(x-4)(x^{2}-3x-1)$ Find the zeros of the second factor with the quadratic formula $x=\displaystyle \frac{3\pm\sqrt{3^{2}-4(1)(-1)}}{2(1)}=\frac{3\pm\sqrt{13}}{2}$ zeros:$\displaystyle \qquad -1,\ 4,\ \frac{3\pm\sqrt{13}}{2}$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.