SOLUTION: Can someone help me with this? Thank you. I need to find all the zeros of the function f(x)=-2x^4-5x^3-5x^2-20x+12, given -3 is a zero.

Algebra.Com
Question 1144125: Can someone help me with this? Thank you.
I need to find all the zeros of the function f(x)=-2x^4-5x^3-5x^2-20x+12, given -3 is a zero.

Answer by ikleyn(52781)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

You can apply the "Rational roots theorem" first.


The theorem will tell you that possible rational roots are among some finite set of rational and integer numbers. 


It is good, but does not help too much.


Therefore, in such cases I simply make a plot of the polynomial, and the plot (see the Figure below) points you 
all possible real / rational / integer roots.


    


    Plot y = 


In this case the roots -3 and  are pointed.


Surely, having this tip, you should check directly that these numbers really are the roots.


But if it is so, then the polynomial is divisible by the binomials  (x-(-3)) = (x+3)  and  (2x-1).


Thus the polynomial should be divisible by the product  (x+3)*(2x-1) = 2x^2 + 5x - 6 without a remainder.


So, make this long division and find the quotient. The quotient will be the polynomial of the degree 2 (quadratic).


Finding the roots of this quadratic is elementary job. (The rest of the roots could be complex numbers, though).


In this way, you will get the answer.

Happy calculations (!)


---------------

Notice that I communicate with you, assuming that you are a real student, who knows some basics (adequate to the problem)
and is able to do the job and to complete it on his (or her) own, having clear instructions.


RELATED QUESTIONS

Please help me find all the zeros of the functions and write the polynomial as a product... (answered by Alan3354)
Hello! I need help solving this: I have the function:f(x) = 4x^3 + 5x^2 + 36x + 45... (answered by Fombitz)
Can someone help me with this problem: Find the zeros of the polynomial function... (answered by stanbon)
Please someone help me understand how to do these problems. Please show all your work so... (answered by josgarithmetic)
Hello! I need help solving this equation: Use the Rational Zero Test to list all... (answered by Boreal)
f(x)=x^4+2x^3+x^2+8x-12 I need to find all of the actual zeros of this function,... (answered by ikleyn,Boreal,MathLover1,MathTherapy)
Can someone help me with the question: Use the rational zeros theorem to list all... (answered by stanbon,gonzo)
I need help asap with the following much appreciated. Find all the zeros of the... (answered by Alan3354,Boreal)
I need help with these functions. Please help! Evaluate the functions for the... (answered by vleith)