Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014
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Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014 View details
5. Solving Polynomial Equations
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Exercise 16 Page 194

Use the Zero Product Property to find the zeros of the polynomial function.

Zeros: x=-4, x=0, and x=5
Graph:

Practice makes perfect

We want to find the zeros and sketch the graph of the given polynomial function. g(x)=-2x^5+2x^4+40x^3 Let's do these things one at a time.

Zeros of the Function

To find the zeros, we need to find the values of x for which g(x)=0. g(x)=0 ⇔ -2x^5+2x^4+40x^3=0Since the function is not written in factored form, we will begin by factoring the equation.
-2x^5+2x^4+40x^3=0
Factor
-2x^3(x^2-x-20)=0
-2x^3(x^2+4x-5x-20)=0
-2x^3(x(x+4)-5x-20)=0
-2x^3(x(x+4)-5(x+4))=0
-2x^3(x+4)(x-5)=0
Now, we can apply the Zero Product Property.
-2x^3(x+4)(x-5)=0
Solve using the Zero Product Property
l-2x^3=0 x+4=0 x-5=0
lx^3=0 x+4=0 x-5=0
lx=0 x+4=0 x-5=0
lx=0 x=-4 x-5=0
lx=0 x=-4 x=5
We found that the zeros of the function are x=-4, x=0, and x=5.

Graph

To draw the graph of the function, we will find some additional points and consider the end behavior. Let's use a table to find additional points.

x -2x^5+2x^4+40x^3 g(x)=-2x^5+2x^4+40x^3
- 5 -2( - 5)^5+2( - 5)^4+40( - 5)^3 2500
- 2 -2( - 2)^5+2( - 2)^4+40( - 2)^3 - 224
3 -2( 3)^5+2( 3)^4+40( 3)^3 756
5.5 -2( 5.5)^5+2( 5.5)^4+40( 5.5)^3 ≈ -1581

The points ( - 5, 2500), ( - 2, -224), ( 3, 756), and ( 5.5, -1581) are on the graph of the function. Now, we will determine the leading coefficient and degree of the polynomial function. g(x)=-2x^()magenta5+2x^4+40x^3 We can see now that the leading coefficient is -2, which is a negative number. Also, the degree is 5, which is an odd number. Therefore, the end behavior is up and down. With this in mind, we will plot the zeros, the obtained points, and graph the function.