# 5.5 Zeros of polynomial functions  (Page 7/14)

 Page 7 / 14

A shipping container in the shape of a rectangular solid must have a volume of 84 cubic meters. The client tells the manufacturer that, because of the contents, the length of the container must be one meter longer than the width, and the height must be one meter greater than twice the width. What should the dimensions of the container be?

3 meters by 4 meters by 7 meters

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with zeros of polynomial functions.

## Key concepts

• To find $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}f\left(k\right),\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ determine the remainder of the polynomial $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}f\left(x\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ when it is divided by $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}x-k.\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ This is known as the Remainder Theorem. See [link] .
• According to the Factor Theorem, $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}k\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a zero of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}f\left(x\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ if and only if $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\left(x-k\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a factor of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}f\left(x\right).$ See [link] .
• According to the Rational Zero Theorem, each rational zero of a polynomial function with integer coefficients will be equal to a factor of the constant term divided by a factor of the leading coefficient. See [link] and [link] .
• When the leading coefficient is 1, the possible rational zeros are the factors of the constant term.
• Synthetic division can be used to find the zeros of a polynomial function. See [link] .
• According to the Fundamental Theorem, every polynomial function has at least one complex zero. See [link] .
• Every polynomial function with degree greater than 0 has at least one complex zero.
• Allowing for multiplicities, a polynomial function will have the same number of factors as its degree. Each factor will be in the form $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}\left(x-c\right),\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ where $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}c\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ is a complex number. See [link] .
• The number of positive real zeros of a polynomial function is either the number of sign changes of the function or less than the number of sign changes by an even integer.
• The number of negative real zeros of a polynomial function is either the number of sign changes of $\text{\hspace{0.17em}}f\left(-x\right)\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$ or less than the number of sign changes by an even integer. See [link] .
• Polynomial equations model many real-world scenarios. Solving the equations is easiest done by synthetic division. See [link] .

## Verbal

Describe a use for the Remainder Theorem.

The theorem can be used to evaluate a polynomial.

Explain why the Rational Zero Theorem does not guarantee finding zeros of a polynomial function.

What is the difference between rational and real zeros?

Rational zeros can be expressed as fractions whereas real zeros include irrational numbers.

If Descartes’ Rule of Signs reveals a no change of signs or one sign of changes, what specific conclusion can be drawn?

If synthetic division reveals a zero, why should we try that value again as a possible solution?

Polynomial functions can have repeated zeros, so the fact that number is a zero doesn’t preclude it being a zero again.

## Algebraic

For the following exercises, use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder.

$\left({x}^{4}-9{x}^{2}+14\right)÷\left(x-2\right)$

$\left(3{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+x-4\right)÷\left(x+3\right)$

$-106$

$\left({x}^{4}+5{x}^{3}-4x-17\right)÷\left(x+1\right)$

$\left(-3{x}^{2}+6x+24\right)÷\left(x-4\right)$

$\text{\hspace{0.17em}}0\text{\hspace{0.17em}}$

$\left(5{x}^{5}-4{x}^{4}+3{x}^{3}-2{x}^{2}+x-1\right)÷\left(x+6\right)$

explain and give four Example hyperbolic function
The denominator of a certain fraction is 9 more than the numerator. If 6 is added to both terms of the fraction, the value of the fraction becomes 2/3. Find the original fraction. 2. The sum of the least and greatest of 3 consecutive integers is 60. What are the valu
1. x + 6 2 -------------- = _ x + 9 + 6 3 x + 6 3 ----------- x -- (cross multiply) x + 15 2 3(x + 6) = 2(x + 15) 3x + 18 = 2x + 30 (-2x from both) x + 18 = 30 (-18 from both) x = 12 Test: 12 + 6 18 2 -------------- = --- = --- 12 + 9 + 6 27 3
Pawel
2. (x) + (x + 2) = 60 2x + 2 = 60 2x = 58 x = 29 29, 30, & 31
Pawel
ok
Ifeanyi
on number 2 question How did you got 2x +2
Ifeanyi
combine like terms. x + x + 2 is same as 2x + 2
Pawel
Mark and Don are planning to sell each of their marble collections at a garage sale. If Don has 1 more than 3 times the number of marbles Mark has, how many does each boy have to sell if the total number of marbles is 113?
Mark = x,. Don = 3x + 1 x + 3x + 1 = 113 4x = 112, x = 28 Mark = 28, Don = 85, 28 + 85 = 113
Pawel
how do I set up the problem?
what is a solution set?
Harshika
find the subring of gaussian integers?
Rofiqul
hello, I am happy to help!
Abdullahi
hi mam
Mark
find the value of 2x=32
divide by 2 on each side of the equal sign to solve for x
corri
X=16
Michael
Want to review on complex number 1.What are complex number 2.How to solve complex number problems.
Beyan
yes i wantt to review
Mark
use the y -intercept and slope to sketch the graph of the equation y=6x
how do we prove the quadratic formular
Darius
hello, if you have a question about Algebra 2. I may be able to help. I am an Algebra 2 Teacher
thank you help me with how to prove the quadratic equation
Seidu
may God blessed u for that. Please I want u to help me in sets.
Opoku
what is math number
4
Trista
x-2y+3z=-3 2x-y+z=7 -x+3y-z=6
can you teacch how to solve that🙏
Mark
Solve for the first variable in one of the equations, then substitute the result into the other equation. Point For: (6111,4111,−411)(6111,4111,-411) Equation Form: x=6111,y=4111,z=−411x=6111,y=4111,z=-411
Brenna
(61/11,41/11,−4/11)
Brenna
x=61/11 y=41/11 z=−4/11 x=61/11 y=41/11 z=-4/11
Brenna
Need help solving this problem (2/7)^-2
x+2y-z=7
Sidiki
what is the coefficient of -4×
-1
Shedrak
the operation * is x * y =x + y/ 1+(x × y) show if the operation is commutative if x × y is not equal to -1