College Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305115546
ISBN 13: 978-1-30511-554-5

Chapter 3, Polynomial and Rational Functions - Section 3.3 - Dividing Polynomials - 3.3 Exercises - Page 310: 59

Answer

the other zeros are: $x=\frac{-1\pm \sqrt {21}}{2}$

Work Step by Step

The factor theorem says that if $f(c)=0$, then $(x-c)$ is a factor of $f(x)$ and if $(x-c)$ is a factor of $f(x)$, then $f(c)=0$. We check $x=3$: $f(3)=3^3-(3)^2-11(3)+15=0$ thus, it is indeed a zero. Then, we can write: $f(x)=(x-3)(x^2+x-5)$, solving for the trinomial using quadratic formula for the quadratic equation $ax^2+bx+c$, $x=\frac{-b\pm \sqrt {b^2-4ac}}{2a}$. for our trinomial, $x^2+x-5$, $x=\frac{-1\pm \sqrt {1^2-4\times1 \times -5}}{2\times 1}= \frac{-1\pm \sqrt {21}}{2}$ Thus the other zeros are: $x=\frac{-1\pm \sqrt {21}}{2}$
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