Chapter 19: Problem 12
Factor \(x^{5}-1\) into linear and real quadratic factors.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Question: Factor the polynomial \(x^5 - 1\) into linear and real quadratic factors.
Answer: \((x - 1)(x^2 + x + 1)(x^2 - x + 1)\)
Step by step solution
01
Use the difference of odd powers rule
Using the difference of odd powers rule, we can factor \(x^5 - 1\) as:
\((x^5 - 1) = (x - 1)(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1)\).
02
Apply the quadratic factorization method for \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\)
To break down the expression further, we'll look for any complex conjugate pairs in the factors of \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\).
Let \(z = x^2 + bx + c\) be a quadratic factor of \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\). We know that for each linear factor \(r(x)\) of \(z\), its complex conjugate \(r^*(x)\) will also be a factor.
So, if \(z(x) = (ax + p)(ax + q)\) where \(p\) and \(q\) are complex conjugates, then \(z^*(x) = (ax + p^*)(ax + q^*)\).
Using the observation that the product of a complex number and its conjugate results in a real number: \((x^2 + bx + c)(x^2 - bx + c) = x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\).
Now, let's multiply the expressions and compare coefficients:
\((x^2 + bx + c)(x^2 - bx + c) = x^4 + (c^2 - b^2)x^2 + c^2 x^2 + c^2 x_-_ c^2 x + c^2\).
Comparing the coefficients, we get:
1. \(c^2 - b^2 = 1\)
2. \(c^2 = 1\)
3. \(c^2 = 1\)
Solving for \(c\), we find that \(c = \pm1\).
03
Solve for \(b\)
Since we now know \(c = 1\), we can substitute it into the first coefficient comparison expression to solve for \(b\):
\(1 - b^2 = 1\)
\(b^2 = 0\)
\(b = 0\)
Now, we can rewrite the quadratic factors with the determined values for \(b\) and \(c\):
\(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 = (x^2 + x + 1)(x^2 - x + 1)\).
04
Write the final factored polynomial
Combining the factored expressions from Steps 1 and 3, we have:
\(x^5 - 1 = (x - 1)(x^2 + x + 1)(x^2 - x + 1)\).
The final factored polynomial is \((x - 1)(x^2 + x + 1)(x^2 - x + 1)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Difference of Odd Powers
When factoring an expression like \(x^5 - 1\), the difference of odd powers rule is a valuable tool. This rule helps us break down such expressions into simpler factors. The rule states that for any odd power \(n\), the expression \(x^n - a\) can be factored as:
- \((x - a)(x^{n-1} + x^{n-2}a + x^{n-3}a^2 + \ldots + a^{n-1})\)
- \((x - 1)(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1)\)
Complex Conjugate Pairs
Complex conjugate pairs come into play notably when dealing with polynomials with non-real roots. In our factorization problem, the expression \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\) can be potentially broken down into quadratic factors that involve complex roots.
For any pair of complex numbers \(p\) and \(\overline{p}\) (its conjugate), the product is a real number. This is important for transforming complex expressions into real factors.
Considering this for our expression, we check for such pairs within quadratic factors of \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\). We identify two quadratic factors:
For any pair of complex numbers \(p\) and \(\overline{p}\) (its conjugate), the product is a real number. This is important for transforming complex expressions into real factors.
Considering this for our expression, we check for such pairs within quadratic factors of \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\). We identify two quadratic factors:
- \((x^2 + x + 1)\)
- \((x^2 - x + 1)\)
Quadratic Factorization
Quadratic factorization further simplifies polynomial expressions to make them easier to handle or solve. From our earlier step, after acknowledging the pattern in \(x^4 + x^3 + x^2 + x + 1\), we utilize quadratic factorization by solving for potential quadratic components.
We explore possible combinations that maintain the balance in coefficients, leading us to confirm:
Thus, via quadratic factorization, the original polynomial \(x^5 - 1\) becomes the product \((x-1)(x^2+x+1)(x^2-x+1)\), which brings it into complete factorized form using both linear and real quadratic components.
We explore possible combinations that maintain the balance in coefficients, leading us to confirm:
- \((x^2 + x + 1)\)
- \((x^2 - x + 1)\)
Thus, via quadratic factorization, the original polynomial \(x^5 - 1\) becomes the product \((x-1)(x^2+x+1)(x^2-x+1)\), which brings it into complete factorized form using both linear and real quadratic components.