Chapter 3: Problem 59
Show that the given value(s) of \(c\) are zeros of \(P(x),\) and find all other zeros of \(P(x)\). $$P(x)=x^{3}-x^{2}-11 x+15, \quad c=3$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The zeros of \( P(x) \) are 3, \(-1 + \sqrt{6}\), \(-1 - \sqrt{6}\).
Step by step solution
01
Verify given zero
To verify if a given value \( c \) is a zero of \( P(x) \), substitute \( c = 3 \) into the polynomial \( P(x) \) and evaluate it. If the result is zero, then \( c \) is indeed a zero.\[ P(3) = (3)^3 - (3)^2 - 11(3) + 15 \] Calculating further, we get:\[ P(3) = 27 - 9 - 33 + 15 = 0 \] Since \( P(3) = 0 \), \( c = 3 \) is a zero of \( P(x) \).
02
Perform polynomial division
Now that we know \( x - 3 \) is a factor of \( P(x) \), we perform polynomial division of \( P(x) \) by \( x - 3 \) to find the quotient polynomial.Performing synthetic division or long division, we divide:\[ P(x) \div (x - 3) \]The division yields:\[ x^2 + 2x - 5 \]
03
Solve the quadratic equation
Next, solve the quadratic equation \( x^2 + 2x - 5 = 0 \) to find the remaining zeros.We use the quadratic formula: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]where \( a = 1, b = 2, c = -5 \). Substitute these values:\[ x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{2^2 - 4 \times 1 \times (-5)}}{2 \times 1} \]\[ x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4 + 20}}{2} \]\[ x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{24}}{2} \]\[ x = \frac{-2 \pm 2\sqrt{6}}{2} \]\[ x = -1 \pm \sqrt{6} \]
04
Conclusion
Thus, the polynomial \( P(x) = x^3 - x^2 - 11x + 15 \) has the zeros \( c = 3 \), \( x = -1 + \sqrt{6} \), and \( x = -1 - \sqrt{6} \).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polynomial Division
Polynomial division is a process similar to long division that allows you to divide one polynomial by another, usually linear, polynomial. In our problem, we have a polynomial:
In our example, after dividing by x - 3, the quotient obtained is a quadratic polynomial, x² + 2x - 5.
- P(x), which is divided by x - 3 since we verified c = 3 is a zero of P(x).
- Divide the leading term of the dividend by the leading term of the divisor.
- Multiply the entire divisor by that quotient.
- Subtract the result from the original dividend.
- Repeat the process with the remainder.
In our example, after dividing by x - 3, the quotient obtained is a quadratic polynomial, x² + 2x - 5.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a crucial tool for solving quadratic equations, which are of the form:\[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]
The formula allows you to find the roots of any quadratic equation and is given by:\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]Here, a, b, and c are coefficients from the polynomial.
In our exercise, after completing polynomial division, the remaining term was a quadratic equation:
The formula allows you to find the roots of any quadratic equation and is given by:\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]Here, a, b, and c are coefficients from the polynomial.
In our exercise, after completing polynomial division, the remaining term was a quadratic equation:
- \( x^2 + 2x - 5 = 0 \)
- Calculate the discriminant, \(b^2 - 4ac\), which indicates the nature of the roots.
- Solve the formula to find the roots: \(-1 + \sqrt{6}\) and \(-1 - \sqrt{6}\).
Synthetic Division
Synthetic division is a shortcut method specifically used for dividing a polynomial by a linear binomial of the form \(x - c\). It is quicker and simpler than polynomial long division, especially when working with polynomials of higher degrees.Begin by setting up the synthetic division process:
In our example, after confirming \(c = 3\) is a zero of the polynomial, you place 3 outside the synthetic division, use the coefficients from \(x^3 - x^2 - 11x + 15\), and perform the operation:
- Write down the coefficients of the polynomial.
- Use the zero (c, from \(x-c\)) outside the division symbol.
- Bring down the leading coefficient to the bottom row.
- Multiply it by c, add to the next coefficient, and repeat.
In our example, after confirming \(c = 3\) is a zero of the polynomial, you place 3 outside the synthetic division, use the coefficients from \(x^3 - x^2 - 11x + 15\), and perform the operation:
- This gives the quotient polynomial \(x^2 + 2x - 5\),
- showing that \(x - 3\) is a factor.