document.write( "Question 1189362: Consider g(x) = 2x^3 - x^2 + 2x -1\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(a) Tell the maximum number of real zeros that the function may have. Do not
\n" ); document.write( " attempt to find the zeros.
\n" ); document.write( "(b) List the potential rational zeros. Do not attempt to find the zeros.
\n" ); document.write( "(c) Determine the real zeros of g and write g in factored form.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #820705 by greenestamps(13200)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "(a) A polynomial of degree n has a maximum of n real zeros. This polynomial is degree 3, so the maximum number of real zeros is 3.

\n" ); document.write( "(b) (+/-) (p/q), where p is a factor of the constant term (-1) and q is a factor of the leading coefficient (2). So the possible rational zeros are
\n" ); document.write( "1, -1, 1/2, and -1/2.

\n" ); document.write( "(c) \"2x%5E3-x%5E2%2B2x-1=0\"

\n" ); document.write( "The coefficients 2, -1, 2, -1 show us this can easily be factored by grouping:

\n" ); document.write( "\"%282x%5E3-x%5E2%29%2B%282x-1%29=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x%5E2%282x-1%29%2B1%282x-1%29=0\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"%28x%5E2%2B1%29%282x-1%29=0\"

\n" ); document.write( "The factor (x^2+1) produces a pair of complex roots. The only real root is 1/2, coming from the factor (2x-1).

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