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: 45

Answer

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

Work Step by Step

Step 1. Given $f(x)=x^3+2x^2-5x-6$, list possible rational zeros as $\frac{p}{q}=\pm1,\pm2,\pm3$ Step 2. Use synthetic division as shown in the figure to find one zero $x=2$. Step 3. Use the quotient $x^2+4x+3=0$ or $(x+3)(x+1)=0$, thus $x=-3,-1$ Step 4. Thus the zeros are $\{-3,-1,2 \}$ and we can factor the function as $f(x)=(x+3)(x+1)(x-2)$
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