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: 75

Answer

$f(x)=0.5(x^4 - 3 x^3 + x^2 + 3 x - 2).$

Work Step by Step

If $c$ is a zero of a function with multiplicity $b$ then $(x-c)^b$ is a “factor” of the function. We can see that $-1$, $1$ and $2$ are zeros, and that the graph doesn't cross the x-axis at $1$ but it touches it, hence $1$'s multiplicity is even, e.g. $2$. Therefore one possible solution is $f(x)=k(x+1)(x-1)^2(x-2)=k(x^4 - 3 x^3 + x^2 + 3 x - 2).$ We can also see that the graph contains $(0,-1)$, hence $f(0)=-1$. Thus $k\cdot(0^3-3\cdot0^3+0^2+3\cdot0-2)=k\cdot(-2)=-1$, $k=0.5$, therefore $f(x)=0.5(x^4 - 3 x^3 + x^2 + 3 x - 2).$
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