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: 76

Answer

$f(x)=-\frac{1}{2}(x^3-2x^2-x+2)$

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, hence $f(x)=k(x+1)(x-1)(x-2)\\ f(x)=k(x^3-2x^2-x+2)$ We can also see that the graph contains $(0,-1)$, hence $f(0)=-1$. Thus $f(0)=k(0^3-2(0^2)-0+2)\\ -1=k(0-0-0+2)\\ -1=k(2)\\ -\frac{1}{2}=k$ Therefore, $f(x)=-\frac{1}{2}(x^3-2x^2-x+2).$
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