Chapter 5: Problem 28
For the following exercises, use the Rational Zero Theorem to find the real solution(s) to each equation. $$ 2 x^{3}+x^{2}-7 x-6=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The real solutions are \(x = -1\), \(x = -\frac{3}{2}\), and \(x = 2\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Possible Rational Zeros
The Rational Zero Theorem states that any rational solution, expressed as a fraction \( \frac{p}{q} \), is such that \( p \) is a factor of the constant term and \( q \) is a factor of the leading coefficient. For the equation \( 2x^3 + x^2 - 7x - 6 = 0 \), the constant term is \(-6\) and the leading coefficient is \(2\). The factors of \(-6\) are \(\{±1, ±2, ±3, ±6 \}\) and the factors of \(2\) are \(\{±1, ±2 \}\). Thus, the possible rational zeros are \(\{ ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6, ±\frac{1}{2}, ±\frac{3}{2} \}\).
02
Test Possible Zeros Using Synthetic Division
We test the possible rational zeros by substituting them into the polynomial using synthetic division and checking for a remainder of zero. We start with \( x = 1 \) and continue testing other possible values until a zero is found.
03
Use Synthetic Division with \( x = -1 \)
Using synthetic division to test \( x = -1 \), we organize the coefficients \( [2, 1, -7, -6] \) and proceed:1. Bring down the \( 2 \).2. Multiply \( 2 \) by \(-1\) and add to \( 1 \) to get \(-1\).3. Multiply \(-1\) by \(-1\) and add to \(-7\) to get \(-6\).4. Multiply \(-6\) by \(-1\) and add to \(-6\), resulting in \(0\).The process results in no remainder, indicating that \( x = -1 \) is a zero.
04
Form the Quotient Polynomial
The synthetic division with \( x = -1 \) reduces the polynomial to \( 2x^2 - x - 6 \). This is the quotient polynomial that we now work with to find additional zeros.
05
Factor the Quadratic Polynomial
Next, factor the quadratic \( 2x^2 - x - 6 \). We look for two numbers whose product is \( -12 \) (from \( 2 \times -6 \)) and sum to \(-1\). These numbers are \(-3\) and \(4\). Rewrite the polynomial as \( 2x^2 - 3x + 2x - 6 \). Factoring by grouping gives \((2x^2 - 3x) + (2x - 6)\) which factors to \((2x + 3)(x - 2)\).
06
Find the Remaining Real Zeros
Set each factor from Step 5 equal to zero. From \(2x + 3 = 0\), solving gives \(x = -\frac{3}{2}\), and from \(x - 2 = 0\), solving gives \(x = 2\). These are the remaining real zeros.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Synthetic Division
Synthetic Division is a handy, streamlined way of dividing a polynomial by a linear expression of the form \( x - c \). This method simplifies the process compared to traditional long division.
- First, we write down the coefficients of the polynomial. For the polynomial \(2x^3 + x^2 - 7x - 6\), the coefficients are \([2, 1, -7, -6]\).
- We then select a possible zero to test. For instance, if we choose \(x = -1\), we place it on the left.
- Begin by bringing down the first coefficient unchanged. Multiply it by the selected value \(x = -1\) and add to the next coefficient. Repeat this multiplication and addition process across all coefficients.
Factors of Polynomial
When breaking down a polynomial, finding its factors is crucial, as these divisors tell us more about its roots or zeros.
- In the given polynomial \(2x^3 + x^2 - 7x - 6\), after using synthetic division with \(x = -1\), we found a factor: \(x + 1\).
- This process simplifies the polynomial to \(2x^2 - x - 6\), a quadratic that can be further factored.
- For the quadratic, we look for two numbers that multiply to the product of the leading coefficient and the constant term, here \(2 \times -6 = -12\), while also adding to the middle term coefficient, \(-1\).
Real Zeros
Finding the real zeros of a polynomial involves determining the values of \(x\) where the polynomial evaluates to zero, effectively solving for the roots.
- Begin by applying the Rational Zero Theorem that gives potential numbers to verify as zeros. If a number results in a remainder of zero upon using synthetic division, it's a confirmed zero.
- For the quadratic \(2x^2 - x - 6\), setting each factor equal to zero gives real zeros. From \((2x + 3)(x - 2)\), we solve \(2x + 3 = 0\) to get \(x = -\frac{3}{2}\), and \(x - 2 = 0\), which gives \(x = 2\).
- These steps identify all real solutions for the polynomial equation.