Chapter 4: Problem 26
Factor the polynomial completely, and find all its zeros. State the multiplicity of each zero. \(P(x)=x^{3}-64\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The zeros are 4, -2+2i√3, and -2-2i√3, each with multiplicity 1.
Step by step solution
01
Recognize the Type of Polynomial
The polynomial \(P(x) = x^3 - 64\) is a difference of cubes because it can be rewritten as \(P(x) = x^3 - 4^3\). A difference of cubes has the form \(a^3 - b^3 = (a-b)(a^2 + ab + b^2)\).
02
Rewrite as a Difference of Cubes
Identify \(a = x\) and \(b = 4\). Substitute into the difference of cubes formula: \(x^3 - 64 = (x - 4)(x^2 + 4x + 16)\).
03
Find the Zeros of Each Factor
Set each factor equal to zero and solve. For \(x - 4 = 0\), we get \(x = 4\).\ For the quadratic \(x^2 + 4x + 16 = 0\), use the quadratic formula \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) with \(a = 1\), \(b = 4\), \(c = 16\).
04
Calculate the Discriminant and Solve
Calculate the discriminant \(b^2 - 4ac = 16 - 64 = -48\). Since the discriminant is negative, the quadratic has complex solutions. Use the quadratic formula: \[ x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{-48}}{2} = \frac{-4 \pm i\sqrt{48}}{2} = \frac{-4 \pm 4i\sqrt{3}}{2} = -2 \pm 2i\sqrt{3}. \]
05
State the Zeros and Their Multiplicities
The zeros of the polynomial are \(x = 4\) with multiplicity 1, and \(x = -2 + 2i\sqrt{3}\) and \(x = -2 - 2i\sqrt{3}\) each with multiplicity 1.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Difference of Cubes
When you see a polynomial like \( P(x) = x^3 - 64 \), you should identify it as a **difference of cubes**. This is a special form of polynomial which can be factored using the formula:
- \( a^3 - b^3 = (a-b)(a^2 + ab + b^2) \).
- \( x^3 - 64 = (x - 4)(x^2 + 4x + 16) \).
Quadratic Formula
Once you have factored out the real part, you need to examine the quadratic portion: \( x^2 + 4x + 16 \). To find the zeros, apply the **quadratic formula**:
- \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \)
- \( a = 1 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = 16 \).
- \[ x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{-48}}{2} \].
Complex Zeros
Complex numbers arise naturally when dealing with negative discriminants in the quadratic formula. Here, we solve \( x^2 + 4x + 16 = 0 \) using the quadratic formula and find the discriminant \( -48 \). This is crucial because this negative value leads to an **imaginary component**:
- \( \sqrt{-48} = 4i\sqrt{3} \), where \( i \) is the imaginary unit defined as \( \sqrt{-1} \).
- \[ x = \frac{-4 \pm 4i\sqrt{3}}{2} \].
- \( x = -2 \pm 2i\sqrt{3} \).