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 - 4.5 The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function - 4.5 Assess Your Understanding - Page 233: 24

Answer

$5$. 1 positive real zero. 0 negative real zero.

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Based on the given function, we have degree $n=5$, thus the maximum number of real zeros that the polynomial function may have is $5$. Step 2. As there is 1 sign change in $f(x)$, based on the Descartes’ Rule of Signs, there will be 1 positive real zero. Step 3. $f(-x)=3x^5+4x^4+2$ and there is no sign change in $f(-x)$, thus there will be 0 negative real zero.
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