Chapter 12: Problem 31
You are given a polynomial equation and one or more roots. Check that the given numbers really are roots, then solve each equation using the method shown in Examples 5 and \(6 .\) To help you decide whether you have found all the roots in each case, you may rely on the following theorem, discussed in the next section: A polynomial equation of degree n has at most \(n\) (not necessarily distinct) roots. $$3 x^{3}-5 x^{2}-16 x+12=0 ;-2 \text { is a root. }$$
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Verify Given Root
Polynomial Division
Solve Reduced Quadratic
List All Roots
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polynomial Division
In this case, we are working with:
- The cubic polynomial: \(3x^3 - 5x^2 - 16x + 12\).
- The linear divisor: \(x + 2\), since \(-2\) is a given root.
Synthetic Division
To execute synthetic division:
- Write the coefficients of your polynomial: \(3, -5, -16, 12\).
- Use the root provided, \(-2\), to substitute as the divisor.
When the remainder is zero, as it was here, the divisor \(-2\) is indeed a root. The new polynomial we obtain is \(3x^2 - 11x + 6\). This new equation is easier to solve and find other roots.
Quadratic Formula
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
This formula allows you to find the roots of any quadratic equation. In the example given, \(a = 3\), \(b = -11\), and \(c = 6\). Plugging these into the formula, you calculate:
- The discriminant, \(b^2 - 4ac\), determining the nature of the roots.
- Calculate exact roots using the solution to the formula.
Cubic Polynomial
Understanding cubic polynomials involves:
- Realizing there can be multiple roots: depending on the polynomial, they can all be real, or some can be complex.
- Identifying potential rational roots using methods like the Rational Root Theorem.
- Verifying roots through substitution and calculations like synthetic division.
Root Verification
In our example, we were given \(-2\) as a root.
- By plugging \(-2\) into the polynomial \(3x^3 - 5x^2 - 16x + 12\), and showing it results in zero confirms it's a true root.
- If a proposed value, when substituted, results in zero, it's verified as a genuine root.