College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 5 - Section 5.5 - The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function - 5.5 Assess Your Understanding - Page 388: 67

Answer

$x\displaystyle \in\left\{\frac{1}{2},\ 2,\ 5\right\}$

Work Step by Step

We try to find rational zeros of $f(x)=2x^{4}-19x^{3}+57x^{2}-64x+20$ There are at most 4 real zeros. Possible rational roots: $\displaystyle \frac{p}{q}=\frac{\pm 1,\pm 2,\pm 4,\pm 5,\pm 10,\pm 20}{\pm 1,\pm 2}$ Testing with synthetic division, ... we eventually try $x-2$ $\left.\begin{array}{l} 2 \ \ |\\ \\ \\ \end{array}\right.\begin{array}{rrrrrr} 2 & -19 & 57 & -64 &20 \\\hline & 4 & -30 & 54 & -20 \\\hline 2& -15 & 27 &-10 & |\ \ 0 \end{array}$ $f(x)=(x-2)(2x^{3}-15x^{2}+27x-10)$ Testing with synthetic division, ... again, try $x-2$ $\left.\begin{array}{l} 2 \ \ |\\ \\ \\ \end{array}\right.\begin{array}{rrrrrr} 2 & -15 & 27 &-10 \\\hline & 4 & -22 & +10 \\\hline 2& -11 &5 & |\ \ 0 \end{array}$ $f(x)=(x-2)^{2}(2x^{2}-11x+5)$ Testing with synthetic division, ... try $x-\displaystyle \frac{1}{2}$ $\left.\begin{array}{l} 1/2 \ \ |\\ \\ \\ \end{array}\right.\begin{array}{rrrrrr} 2 & -11 &5 \\\hline & 1 & -5 \\\hline 2&-10 & |\ \ 0 \end{array}$ $f(x)=(x-2)^{2}(x-\displaystyle \frac{1}{2})\cdot 2(x-5)=0 $ when $x\displaystyle \in\left\{\frac{1}{2},\ 2,\ 5\right\}$
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.