Chapter 4: Problem 47
\(41-58=\) Find all zeros of the polynomial. $$ P(x)=2 x^{3}+7 x^{2}+12 x+9 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The real zero is \( x = -1.5 \), and the complex zeros are \( x = -1 \pm i\sqrt{2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Problem Type
The problem is asking us to find all zeros (or roots) of the polynomial \( P(x) = 2x^3 + 7x^2 + 12x + 9 \). This involves identifying the values of \( x \) that make \( P(x) = 0 \).
02
Use the Rational Root Theorem
According to the Rational Root Theorem, any rational root \( p/q \) of the polynomial, where the polynomial's coefficients are integers, must have \( p \) as a factor of the constant term (9) and \( q \) as a factor of the leading coefficient (2). This gives possible rational roots of \( \pm 1, \pm 3, \pm 9, \pm \frac{1}{2}, \pm \frac{3}{2}, \pm \frac{9}{2} \).
03
Test Possible Rational Roots
We test these possible roots by substituting them into the polynomial \( P(x) \) to see if they yield 0.- Testing \( x = -1 \): \[ P(-1) = 2(-1)^3 + 7(-1)^2 + 12(-1) + 9 = -2 + 7 - 12 + 9 = 2 eq 0 \]- Testing \( x = -3 \): \[ P(-3) = 2(-3)^3 + 7(-3)^2 + 12(-3) + 9 = -54 + 63 - 36 + 9 = -18 eq 0 \]Continue testing until a root is found. Upon testing,\( x = -1.5 \) yields:\[ P(-1.5) = 2(-1.5)^3 + 7(-1.5)^2 + 12(-1.5) + 9 = 0 \]
04
Use Polynomial Division
Now that we have found one root, \( x = -1.5 \), we can perform synthetic division or polynomial long division on \( P(x) \) by \( x + 1.5 \) to find the quotient, which will be a quadratic polynomial.Performing the division will yield:\[ (2x^3 + 7x^2 + 12x + 9) \div (x + 1.5) = 2x^2 + 4x + 6 \]
05
Solve the Quadratic Equation
Now solve the quadratic equation \( 2x^2 + 4x + 6 = 0 \) using the quadratic formula:\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]Where \( a = 2 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = 6 \).\[ x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 48}}{4} = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{-32}}{4} \]Since the discriminant is negative, the quadratic has complex roots.\[ x = \frac{-4 \pm 4i\sqrt{2}}{4} = -1 \pm i\sqrt{2} \]
06
List All Zeros of the Polynomial
The zeros of the polynomial \( P(x) = 2x^3 + 7x^2 + 12x + 9 \) are \( x = -1.5 \) and \( x = -1 \pm i\sqrt{2} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Rational Root Theorem
The Rational Root Theorem is a valuable tool when dealing with polynomials, especially when you're tasked with finding rational zeros. The theorem states that if a polynomial has integer coefficients, then any possible rational root, expressed as \( \frac{p}{q} \), must have \( p \) as a factor of the constant term and \( q \) as a factor of the leading coefficient. This dramatically narrows down the options for possible rational roots to test.
- For the polynomial \( P(x) = 2x^3 + 7x^2 + 12x + 9 \), the constant term is 9 and the leading coefficient is 2.
- This gives possible factors for \( p \) as \( \pm 1, \pm 3, \pm 9 \), and for \( q \) as \( \pm 1, \pm 2 \).
- Insert these into \( \frac{p}{q} \) to get possible rational roots: \( \pm 1, \pm 3, \pm 9, \pm \frac{1}{2}, \pm \frac{3}{2}, \pm \frac{9}{2} \).
Complex Roots
Complex roots occur when solving a polynomial equation but end up with a negative number under the square root in the quadratic formula (known as a negative discriminant). When water explores deeper into complex numbers, remember that they are expressed in the form \( a + bi \), where \( i \) is the "imaginary unit" representing \( \sqrt{-1} \).
- In the quadratic equation derived from dividing \( P(x) \), the expression \( 2x^2 + 4x + 6 = 0 \) results in a discriminant of -32 \( (b^2 - 4ac) \).
- Since it's negative, this indicates complex roots.
- These roots are \( x = -1 \pm i \sqrt{2} \), where \( i \) represents the imaginary part.
Polynomial Division
Polynomial division is a method used to simplify complex polynomials, particularly after discovering one root, of which the polynomial is a factor. When a root is determined, you can perform polynomial long division or synthetic division to factor the polynomial further.
- After finding the root \( x = -1.5 \), dividing the original polynomial \( P(x) \) by \( x + 1.5 \) yields a more manageable polynomial \( 2x^2 + 4x + 6 \).
- This process simplifies the polynomial, allowing us to solve it using methods like the quadratic formula for any remaining roots.
- The quotient polynomial is crucial because it helps reveal other zeros once the polynomial has been simplified.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a centerpiece in solving quadratic equations, particularly in higher-degree polynomials once you're down to a simpler quadratic form. This formula provides a direct way to find the roots of a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \).
- The formula is \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \).
- In the exercise's context, applying the quadratic formula to \( 2x^2 + 4x + 6 \) reveals complex roots.
- Specifically, substituting \( a = 2 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = 6 \) results in roots \( x = -1 \pm i\sqrt{2} \).