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Question 46217:  Can someone please help me with the following: What are all the possible rational roots (using synthetic division to find an actual root, then using this root to solve the equation) for x^3 + 5x^2 + 12x - 18 = 0 ?!?!? 
 
Can you please explain the steps involved as well as the solution (as I am fairly lost)? 
 
THANK YOU!!  
 Answer by venugopalramana(3286)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Can someone please help me with the following: What are all the possible rational roots (using synthetic division to find an actual root, then using this root to solve the equation) for x^3 + 5x^2 + 12x - 18 = 0 ?!?!? 
TRY FACTORS OF CONSTANT=-18....PLUS OR MINUS  1,2,3,6,9,18 FOR X .. 
HERE X=1 GIVES 
1+5+12-18-0...OK...SO X=1 IS A ROOT SO X-1 IS A FACTOR.NOW DIVIDE 
1|...1......5......12........-18 
.....0......1.......6.........18 
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.....1......6.......18.........0 
X^2+6X+18 IS QUOTIENT..NOW FACTORISE OR USE QUADRATIC FORMULA. 
HERE B^2-4AC= 36-4*18*1=-VE...SO NO ROOTS 
HENCE THERE IS ONLY 1 REAL ROOT = X=1
 
 
 
 
 
Can you please explain the steps involved as well as the solution (as I am fairly lost)?  
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