Chapter 4: Problem 26
Use synthetic division to find the function values. Then check your work using a graphing calculator. \(f(x)=2 x^{4}+x^{2}-10 x+1 ;\) find \(f(-10), f(2)\) and \(f(3)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
f(-10) = 20101, f(2) = 17, f(3) = 142
Step by step solution
01
Set Up Synthetic Division for f(-10)
Write the coefficients of the polynomial: 2, 0, 1, -10, 1. Use -10 as the divisor.
02
Perform Synthetic Division for f(-10)
Bring down the first coefficient (2). Multiply by -10 and add to next coefficient: 2, (-10 * 2) + 0 = -20, (-10 * -20) + 1 = 201, (-10 * 201) - 10 = -2010, (-10 * -2010) + 1 = 20101. So the last number 20101 is f(-10).
03
Set Up Synthetic Division for f(2)
Write the coefficients of the polynomial: 2, 0, 1, -10, 1. Use 2 as the divisor.
04
Perform Synthetic Division for f(2)
Bring down the first coefficient (2). Multiply by 2 and add to next coefficient: 2, (2 * 2) + 0 = 4, (2 * 4) + 1 = 9, (2 * 9) - 10 = 8, (2 * 8) + 1 = 17. So the last number 17 is f(2).
05
Set Up Synthetic Division for f(3)
Write the coefficients of the polynomial: 2, 0, 1, -10, 1. Use 3 as the divisor.
06
Perform Synthetic Division for f(3)
Bring down the first coefficient (2). Multiply by 3 and add to next coefficient: 2, (3 * 2) + 0 = 6, (3 * 6) + 1 = 19, (3 * 19) - 10 = 47, (3 * 47) + 1 = 142. So the last number 142 is f(3).
07
Verify using Graphing Calculator
Input the polynomial function into the graphing calculator and evaluate f(-10), f(2), and f(3) to confirm they equal 20101, 17, and 142, respectively.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polynomial Function
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression consisting of variables and coefficients, structured in terms of powers of the variable. For example, the polynomial function given in the exercise is \(f(x)=2x^{4}+x^{2}-10x+1\). Each term is a product of a coefficient and a power of \(x\). Polynomial functions are widely used in algebra to represent complex relationships between variables.
In our example:
In our example:
- \(2x^4\) is a term with the coefficient 2 and the power 4.
- \(x^2\) has the coefficient 1 and the power 2.
- \(-10x\) has the coefficient -10 and the power 1.
- 1 is a constant term.
Graphing Calculator
A graphing calculator is a powerful tool used to visualize and solve mathematical problems, including evaluating polynomial functions. These calculators can graph functions, solve equations, and perform various algebraic computations.
When solving our problem, a graphing calculator can be used to:
When solving our problem, a graphing calculator can be used to:
- Input the polynomial function \(f(x)=2x^4+x^2-10x+1\).
- Evaluate the function at specific points, such as \(f(-10), f(2),\) and \(f(3)\).
- Verify the results obtained through synthetic division.
Function Evaluation
Function evaluation involves finding the value of a function at a given input. For our polynomial function \(f(x)=2x^4+x^2-10x+1\), we want to find \(f(-10), f(2),\) and \(f(3)\).
To perform function evaluation using synthetic division:
To perform function evaluation using synthetic division:
- Set up synthetic division with the given divisor (the value of x).
- Write down the coefficients of the polynomial.
- Use synthetic division to compute the result step-by-step.
- Write coefficients: 2, 0, 1, -10, 1.
- Perform synthetic division with the divisor 2.
- Follow steps to obtain the final result (in this case, 17).