Chapter 2: Problem 61
For each polynomial function given: (a) list each real zero and its multiplicity; (b) determine whether the graph touches or crosses at each \(x\) -intercept; (c) find the \(y\) -intercept and a few points on the graph; (d) determine the end behavior; and (e) sketch the graph. $$f(x)=2 x^{5}-6 x^{4}-8 x^{3}$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Factor Out Common Terms
Factor the Quadratic Expression
Identify the Real Zeros and Multiplicities
Determine Touch/Cross at Each X-Intercept
Find the Y-Intercept and a Few Points
Determine the End Behavior
Sketch the Graph
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Real Zeros
- For \( 2x^3\), the solution is \( x = 0 \).
- For \( (x - 4) \), the solution is \( x = 4 \).
- For \( (x + 1) \), the solution is \( x = -1 \).
These values are called the real zeros of the function, where the graph intersects or touches the x-axis.
Multiplicity
- The zero at \( x = 0 \) has a multiplicity of 3 because of the factor \( 2x^3 \). This multiplicity implies that the graph flattens at, but eventually crosses through this point.
- The zeros at \( x = 4 \) and \( x = -1 \) each have a multiplicity of 1. These zeros are where the graph crosses the x-axis, giving a simple linear passage through the x-axis.
End Behavior
For the polynomial \( f(x) = 2x^5 - 6x^4 - 8x^3 \), which has a degree of 5 (from the highest power of \( x \) in the polynomial), the leading coefficient is positive (2). Hence, as \( x \) approaches infinity, \( f(x) \) also approaches infinity, and as \( x \) approaches negative infinity, \( f(x) \) approaches negative infinity.
Simply put, the graph starts from the bottom left (coming from -∞ as x moves negatively) and ends at the top right (going towards +∞ as x increases).
X-Intercepts
For \( f(x) = 2x^3(x - 4)(x + 1) \):
- The x-intercept at \( x = 0 \) arises due to the zero from the factor \( 2x^3 \). At this point, the graph touches and crosses the axis due to the odd multiplicity.
- The intercept \( x = 4 \) stems from \( (x - 4) = 0 \), and the graph crosses at this point.
- Similarly, \( x = -1 \) from \( (x + 1) = 0 \) is another crossing point.
Factoring Polynomials
Starting with \( f(x) = 2x^5 - 6x^4 - 8x^3 \), the first step is to factor out the greatest common factor (GCF), which in this case is \( 2x^3 \). Simplifying gives:
- \( f(x) = 2x^3(x^2 - 3x - 4) \)
- \( x^2 - 3x - 4 \) factors into \( (x - 4)(x + 1) \)
\( f(x) = 2x^3(x - 4)(x + 1) \)
Factoring polynomials allows us to identify zeros easily, understand the multiplicity and behavior at those zeros, and analyze the graph's end behavior.