College Algebra (11th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321671791
ISBN 13: 978-0-32167-179-0

Chapter 3 - Section 3.3 - Zeros of Polynomial Functions - 3.3 Exercises - Page 315: 31

Answer

The zeros are $2-i$ , (which is given,) $2+i$ and $3.$

Work Step by Step

If k is a zero of f, then, by the factor theorem, (x-k) is a factor of f(x). Synthetic division gives us a quotient q(x), with degree one less than f(x). and we know the remainder is zero, so $f(x)=(x-k)\cdot q(x).$ We use this first. $k=2-i$, , $\left\{\begin{array}{llllll} 2-i & | & 1 & -7 & 17 & -15\\ & & & 2-i & -11+3i & 15\\ & & -- & -- & -- & --\\ & & 1 & -5-i & 6+3i & \fbox{$0$} \end{array}\right. \qquad\left(\begin{array}{lll} (2-i)(-5-i) & | & (2-i)(6+3i)\\ =-10+3i+i^{2} & | & =12-3i^{2}\\ =-11+3i & | & =15 \end{array}\right)$ $f(x)=[x-(2-i)][x^{2}+(-5-i)x+(6+3i)]$ We now use the Conjugate Zeros Theorem, by which, since $z=2-i $ is a zero, its conjugate, $2+i$ is also a zero. So, we apply synthetic division on the quotient. $\left\{\begin{array}{llllll} 2+i & | & 1 & -5-i & 6+3i & \\ & & & 2+i & -6-3i & \\ & & -- & -- & -- & \\ & & 1 & -3 & \fbox{$0$} & \end{array}\right.$ $f(x) =[x-(2-i)]\cdot[x-(2+i)]\cdot(x-3)$ By the factor theorem, $x-3$ is a factor of $f(x) \Rightarrow 3$ is a zero. The zeros are $2-i$ , (which is given,) $2+i$ and $3.$
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