College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter 3 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - Exercise Set 3.4 - Page 387: 47

Answer

$x\in\left\{-\frac{1}{3}, -1, 2, 3\right\}$

Work Step by Step

See The Rational Zero Theorem: If $\displaystyle \frac{p}{q}$ is a zero of the polynomial $f(x)$ with integer coefficients, then $p$ is a factor of the constant term, $a_{0}$, and $q$ is a factor of the leading coefficient, $a_{n}$. ------------------------ $f(x)=3x^4-11x^{3}-x^{2}+19x+6$ a. Candidates for zeros, $\frac{p}{q}:$ $p:\qquad \pm 1, \pm 2, \pm3, \pm6$ $q:\qquad \pm 1, \pm 3$ $\displaystyle \frac{p}{q}:\qquad \pm 1, \pm 2,\pm 3, \pm 6, \pm \frac{1}{3}, \pm \frac{2}{3}$ b. Try for $x=-1:$ $\begin{array}{lllll} \underline{-1}| &3 & -11 & -1 & 19 & 6\\ & &-3 & 14 & -13& -6\\ & -- & -- & -- & --\\ & 3 & -14 & 13 & 6 & |\underline{0} \end{array}$ $-1$ is a zero, $f(x)=(x+1)(3x^3-14x^{2} +13x+6)$, To solve for the Quadrinomial, Try for $x=2:$ $\begin{array}{lllll} \underline{2}| & 3 & -14 & 13 & 6\\ & & 6 & -16 & -6\\ & -- & -- & -- & --\\ & 3 & -8 & -3 & |\underline{0} \end{array}$ $2$ is a zero, $f(x)=(x+1)(x-2)(3x^{2} -8x-3)$, c. Factorize the trinomial factor $(3x^{2} -8x-3)$ $3x^{2} -8x-3=3x^{2} +x-9x-3 \quad$...factor in pairs ... $=x(3x+1)-3(3x+1)=(3x+1)(x-3)$ $f(x)=(x-2)(3x+1)(x-3)(x+1)$ The zeros of f satisfy $f(x)=0$, $(x-2)(3x+1)(x-3)(x+1)=0$ $x \in\left\{-\frac{1}{3}, -1, 2, 3\right\}$
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