Chapter 5: Problem 58
Find a polynomial function with the given real zeros whose graph contains the given point. Zeros: -4 (multiplicity 1), 0 (multiplicity 3), 2 (multiplicity 1); degree 5; contains the point (-2,64)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The polynomial is \[ f(x) = -(x + 4)x^3(x - 2) \]
Step by step solution
01
- Write the form of the polynomial
A polynomial with the given roots and multiplicities would be: \[ f(x) = a(x + 4)(x^3)(x - 2) \] Since the degree is 5, the form of the polynomial is correct. Remember to include the leading coefficient 'a'.
02
- Substitute the given point into the polynomial
Use the point (-2, 64) to find 'a'. Substitute -2 for x and 64 for f(x) into the polynomial: \[ 64 = a(-2 + 4)(-2)^3(-2 - 2) \]
03
- Simplify the equation
Simplify the right side of the equation: \[ 64 = a(2)(-8)(-4) \] Continue to simplify: \[ 64 = a(-64) \]
04
- Solve for 'a'
Solve for 'a' by dividing both sides of the equation by -64: \[ 64 = -64a \]\[ a = -1 \]
05
- Write the final polynomial
Now that 'a' is -1, substitute it back into the polynomial: \[ f(x) = -1(x + 4)x^3(x - 2) \]Simplify if necessary: \[ f(x) = -(x + 4)x^3(x - 2) \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Real Zeros
Real zeros of a polynomial are the values of x where the polynomial equals zero. These are the points where the graph of the polynomial intersects the x-axis. For the given polynomial, we have three real zeros: -4, 0, and 2. Each zero provides a factor of the polynomial:
- (x + 4) for zero at x = -4
- x for zero at x = 0
- (x - 2) for zero at x = 2
Multiplicity
Multiplicity refers to how many times a particular real zero occurs in the polynomial. For example, in our polynomial:
- The zero -4 has a multiplicity of 1, which means it factors in as (x + 4)^1. The graph will just cross the x-axis at this point.
- The zero 0 has a multiplicity of 3, which means it factors in as (x)^3. At this zero, the graph will touch and bounce off the x-axis. This happens because an odd multiplicity greater than 1 causes the graph to flatten out before turning back, creating a distinct 'bounce'.
- The zero 2 has a multiplicity of 1, factored in as (x - 2)^1. Like the zero -4, it will simply cross the x-axis at this point.
Leading Coefficient
The leading coefficient of a polynomial is the coefficient of the term with the highest degree. It greatly influences the shape and orientation of the polynomial's graph. In our exercise:
- Initially, we don't know the leading coefficient, represented as 'a'.
- By substituting the given point (-2, 64) into the polynomial, we solve for 'a'.
- After simplification, we find that 'a' = -1.
Degree of Polynomial
The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of x in the polynomial. It tells us about the general shape of the polynomial's graph and the maximum number of real zeros it can have. For our polynomial:
- With zeros -4, 0, and 2, and their respective multiplicities, the polynomial has a calculated degree of 5: (1 + 3 + 1).
- This degree fits our given condition for the polynomial.
- The degree also signifies that the polynomial can have at most 5 points where it crosses or touches the x-axis.