Precalculus (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32197-907-9
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-907-0

Chapter 4 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - 4.1 Polynomial Functions and Models - 4.1 Assess Your Understanding - Page 185: 54

Answer

$f(x)= -\frac{16}{49}x^4+\frac{32}{49}x^3+\frac{496}{49}x^2-\frac{512}{49}x-\frac{960}{49}$

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Use the given zeros of the polynomial and write a general form $f(x)=a(x+5)(x+1)(x-2)(x-6)$ where $a$ is unknown. Step 2. Use the point on the function to get $f(\frac{5}{2})=a(\frac{5}{2}+5)(\frac{5}{2}+1)(\frac{5}{2}-2)(\frac{5}{2}-6)=15$ which gives $a=-\frac{16}{49}$ Step 3. The function is $f(x)=-\frac{16}{49}(x+5)(x+1)(x-2)(x-6)=-\frac{16}{49}x^4+\frac{32}{49}x^3+\frac{496}{49}x^2-\frac{512}{49}x-\frac{960}{49}$
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