Chapter 3: Problem 19
Find all solutions of the equation. $$x^{3}-x^{2}-10 x-8=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions are \(x = -1\), \(x = 4\), and \(x = -2\).
Step by step solution
01
Use the Rational Root Theorem
The Rational Root Theorem states that any rational solution of the polynomial equation \(a_nx^n + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + ... + a_1x + a_0 = 0\) with integer coefficients is of the form \(\frac{p}{q}\), where \(p\) is a factor of the constant term \(a_0\) and \(q\) is a factor of the leading coefficient \(a_n\). For the given polynomial \(x^3-x^2-10x-8=0\), \(a_0 = -8\) and \(a_n = 1\). Therefore, the possible rational roots are the factors of -8: \(\pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 4, \pm 8\).
02
Test the Possible Rational Roots
Evaluate the polynomial at each of the possible rational roots. Start with \(x = 1\):\[f(1) = 1^3 - 1^2 - 10 imes 1 - 8 = 1 - 1 - 10 - 8 = -18\]Try \(x = 2\):\[f(2) = 2^3 - 2^2 - 10 imes 2 - 8 = 8 - 4 - 20 - 8 = -24\]Next, try \(x = -1\):\[f(-1) = (-1)^3 - (-1)^2 - 10 imes (-1) - 8 = -1 - 1 + 10 - 8 = 0\]Since \(f(-1) = 0\), \(x = -1\) is a root.
03
Factor the Polynomial
Since \(x = -1\) is a root, \((x + 1)\) is a factor of \(x^3-x^2-10x-8\). Use synthetic division to divide the polynomial by \(x + 1\), which gives:\(\begin{array}{r|rrr}-1 & 1 & -1 & -10 & -8 \ & & -1 & 2 & 8 \\hline & 1 & -2 & -8 & 0 \\end{array}\)This results in the quotient \(x^2 - 2x - 8\).
04
Solve the Quadratic Equation
Now, solve the quadratic equation \(x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0\) by factoring. Look for two numbers that multiply to -8 and add to -2:\((x - 4)(x + 2) = 0\).Thus, the roots are \(x = 4\) and \(x = -2\).
05
List All Solutions
The solutions to the original equation \(x^3-x^2-10x-8=0\) are \(x = -1\), \(x = 4\), and \(x = -2\).
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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 helpful tool when solving polynomial equations. It offers a systematic method to find possible rational roots of a polynomial.
- The theorem states that any rational root of a polynomial with integer coefficients will have the form \(\frac{p}{q}\). Here, \(p\) is a factor of the constant term, and \(q\) is a factor of the leading coefficient.
- For example, in the polynomial \(x^3 - x^2 - 10x - 8 = 0\), the constant term is \(-8\) and the leading coefficient is \(1\).
Synthetic Division
In polynomial equations, synthetic division is a simplified method of dividing a polynomial by a linear factor. It is much quicker and more manageable than long division.
- Using synthetic division begins once you've identified a root, say \(x = -1\).
- You then rewrite the division process using the coefficients of the polynomial. Here, the coefficients from \(x^3-x^2-10x-8\) are \(1, -1, -10, -8\).
Quadratic Equations
After using synthetic division, we often obtain a quadratic equation, which is a simpler form to solve. Quadratic equations are of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). Our divided polynomial resulted in \(x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0\). Common methods to solve quadratic equations include:
- Factoring: Look for two numbers that multiply to the constant term \(c\) and add up to the coefficient \(b\). In our example, it's \(-8\) and \(-2\), leading to roots \(x = -2\) and \(x = 4\).
- Quadratic Formula: \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) is another method, though not needed here.
- Completing the Square: Another way to solve, especially useful for more complex expressions.
Factoring Polynomials
Factoring polynomials involves breaking down a complex polynomial into a product of simpler polynomials. This is a crucial step in solving polynomial equations because it often reveals the roots quite easily. For any polynomial, consider:
- Finding factors of the constant term and leading coefficients.
- Testing potential roots by substituting them into the polynomial.