SOLUTION: List all zeros of the polynomnial function f(x)= x^5 - 7x^4 + 10x^3 + 26x^2 - 47x - 39 given that x = 3+ 2i

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: List all zeros of the polynomnial function f(x)= x^5 - 7x^4 + 10x^3 + 26x^2 - 47x - 39 given that x = 3+ 2i      Log On


   



Question 819909: List all zeros of the polynomnial function
f(x)= x^5 - 7x^4 + 10x^3 + 26x^2 - 47x - 39
given that x = 3+ 2i

Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The possible rational roots/zeros of f%28x%29=+x%5E5+-+7x%5E4+%2B+10x%5E3+%2B+26x%5E2+-+47x+-+39+ are:
+1, +3, +13, +39

Using synthetic division to test these we will find that only one of these, 3, is actually a zero:
3  |   1   -7   10   26   -47   -39
----        3  -12   -6    60    39
      ------------------------------
       1   -4   -2   20    13     0
Not only does the zero in the lower right indicate that 3 is a zero (and (x-3) is a factor) but the rest of the bottom row tells us the other factor. The "1 -4 -2 20 13" translates into x%5E4-4x%5E3-2x%5E2%2B20x%2B13. So
f%28x%29+=+%28x-3%29%28x%5E4-4x%5E3-2x%5E2%2B20x%2B13%29

As mentioned earlier, none of the other possible rational roots/zeros work. And, if "given that x = 3+ 2i" is supposed to indicate that 3+2i is also a zero, then this is an error. 3+2i is not a zero of f(x)! It is was, then 3-2i would also be a zero. And if they were both zeros then %28x-%283%2B2i%29%29 and %28x-%283-2i%29%29 would be factors of f(x). And since %28x-%283%2B2i%29%29%2A%28x-%283-2i%29%29+=+%28x%5E2-6x%2B13%29, %28x%5E2-6x%2B13%29 would also be a factor of f(x). And if %28x%5E2-6x%2B13%29 were a factor of f(x) then it would divide evenly into f(x). But it does not!! So either there is an error in what you posted or I am misinterpreting "given that x = 3+ 2i".

In summary:
  • x = 3 is the only zero we can find.
  • 3+2i (and 3-2i) are not zeros of f(x).

P.S. The only way I know to find approximations for the remaining 4 zeros would be to
  1. Use a graphing calculator to graph f(x) (or y+=+x%5E4-4x%5E3-2x%5E2%2B20x%2B13)
  2. Use the trace function to find approximations for where the graph crosses the x-axis.