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| 11 Theory slides |
| 11 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Here are a few recommended readings before getting started with this lesson.
A theorem is used to determine the maximum number of solutions or zeros, that a polynomial equation can have. This theorem is called the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
For a polynomial p(z) of degree n>0, the equation p(z)=0 has at least one solution in the set of complex numbers.
For a polynomial p(z) of degree n>0, the equation p(z)=0 has exactly n solutions, counting each repeating solution the number of times the solution is repeated. This means that a solution repeated two times counts as two solutions, a solution repeated three times counts as three solutions, and so on.
To justify this theorem, polynomials with low degrees will be examined.
Indicate how many solutions each polynomial equation has.
For a polynomial function p(x) with real coefficients written in standard form, the following properties are true.
In this case, the number of sign changes must be even. This is because every time a positive sign changes to a negative sign, it must return to positive again, making the number of sign changes a multiple of 2. The number of times the graph crosses the x-axis must also be even, since the graph begins and ends above the x-axis.
x=8
a⋅am=a1+m
Subtract term
Here, the effect of the term -x2 is negligible compared to the effect of the term 8x3. This indicates that a change in direction of the graph of a function is caused by a sign change, but a sign change does not always result on a change in direction of the graph. Consider the graph of the initial polynomial function again.
The function starts above the x-axis and has 4 significant direction changes. Therefore, there are at least 4 sign changes in the equation. Also, each time the graph moves in a different direction, it crosses the x-axis, which suggests that the number of zeros can be the same as the number of sign changes. Consider now a different graph.
Here, the number of zeros is less than the number of times the graph changes direction. Since sign changes indicate changes in direction, it is possible to have fewer zeros than sign changes. Also, since there cannot be more zeros without changing direction, there cannot be more zeros than sign changes. Two conclusions can be made from this reasoning.
This is equivalent to what is written in the rule. The other cases can be examined on a similar way. Also, negative zeros are found by considering p(-x) because this is a reflection in the y-axis. Note that this is an informal justification and cannot be taken as a formal proof.
Two sign changes were identified. Therefore, the number of positive real zeros can be either 2 or 0. To determine the number of negative real zeros, the polynomial function f(-x) needs to be examined. Note that the sign of a term only changes if its exponent is odd.
There are two sign changes in this polynomial. This means that there are also two or zero possible negative zeros. Since the polynomial has a degree of 4, the polynomial has 4 zeros by the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. If there are less than 4 real zeros, the remaining zeros are complex. The possible combinations of zeros are shown on the following table.
Positive Real Zeros | Negative Real Zeros | Imaginary Zeros | Total Zeros |
---|---|---|---|
2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Positive Real Zeros | Negative Real Zeros | Imaginary Zeros | Total Zeros |
---|---|---|---|
2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Jordan is starting to learn about polynomial functions.
Real Positive Zeros | Real Negative Zeros | Imaginary Zeros | Total Zeros |
---|---|---|---|
4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
This polynomial function has 4 sign changes. Descartes' Rule of Signs indicates that the polynomial can have 4 positive real zeros, or a number that is an even number less than 4.
Possible Number of Positive Real Zeros | ||
---|---|---|
4 | 4−2=2 | 4−4=0 |
Since there cannot be a negative number of real positive zeros, the possible numbers of positive real zeros are 4, 2, and 0.
The polynomial p(-x) has only one sign change. Since there are no positive numbers that are an even number apart and are less than one, the only possible number of real negative zeros is 1.
Real Positive Zeros | Real Negative Zeros | Imaginary Zeros | Total Zeros |
---|---|---|---|
4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
0 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Write the correct answer for each polynomial equation.
Jordan is continuing to work through her homework on polynomial functions.
Help Jordan solve each of the following.
The function has 3 sign changes. Therefore, according to Descartes' Rule of Signs, the function can have 3 or 1 positive real zeros. To find the numbers of possible negative real zeros, the sign changes will be found for f(-x). Note that a term does not change signs if its exponent is even.
Since there are 2 sign changes for f(-x), there are 2 or 0 negative real zeros. Now it is possible to make a table with all possible combinations of zeros. Since degree of the polynomial is 5, by the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, the total number of zeros is 5. If the sum of the real roots is less than 5, the other zeros are imaginary numbers.
Real Positive Zeros | Real Negative Zeros | Imaginary Zeros | Total Zeros |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Comparing these combinations with the given options, it can be concluded that the only of the given combinations that is not in the table is 1 positive real zero, 4 negative zeros, and 0 imaginary zeros.
This is an impossible combination.
Looking at the function, it can be seen that there is one sign change. This means that this function has exactly one negative real zero. Therefore, the correct answer is the last polynomial function, m(x).
Tearrik knows that Jordan has been studying about identifying the zeros of a polynomial function. He asks for her help with an assignment.
Example Solution:
Use the Factor Theorem to write a function, starting from the number of zeros.
Distribute (x−3)
Distribute x2, -3x, &2
Add and subtract terms
Distribute (x−4)
Distribute x3, -6x2, 11x, & -6
Add and subtract terms
x=0
Zero Property of Multiplication
The graph of a polynomial function with no double zeros always moves in the same direction before and after the solution points. Since every solution point is already known and the polynomial has an even degree, the graph moves upwards as x<1 towards the y-axis.
Each solution point indicates a point where the graph crosses the x-axis. Therefore, the graph changes its vertical direction between the solution points in order to cross the axis.
Finally, since the polynomial has an even degree, the graph moves upwards as x>4.
Remember that this is only one example solution and that other solutions can also be correct.
Tearrik and Jordan have run into a difficult problem on their math homework.
Their teacher gave them the graph of a polynomial function of degree 5.
Help Tearrik and Jordan to solve the following exercises.
From the diagram, the following zeros can be identified.
Next, the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that a polynomial function of degree n has n zeros. Since only 3 real zeros are identified by looking at the graph and the given polynomial function is of degree 5, there must be 5−3=2 additional complex zeros. Finally, all the zeros can be summarized in a table.
Zero Type | Number |
---|---|
Positive Real | 2 |
Negative Real | 1 |
Complex | 2 |
Positive Real | Negative Real | Complex | Total |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
1 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
Another table for the possible real and complex solutions of this new equation can be written.
Positive Real | Negative Real | Complex | Total |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
The information found in this exercise can be used to expand Descartes' Rule of Signs.
We need to find the number of solutions, or zeros, for the given polynomial function. l(m) = 3m^2 - 5m^3 + 2m^6 - m^5 + 19 To do so, first we need to recall the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra |- If f(x) is a polynomial of degree n≥ 1, then f(x)=0 has exactly n solutions.
To determine the degree of the polynomial, we need to find the monomial with the highest exponent in the given function. We can start by reordering the monomials by degree order. Let's do it! l(m) = 3m^2 - 5m^3 + 2m^6 - m^5 + 19 ⇕ l(m) = 2m^6 -m^5-5m^3+3m^2+19 Now we can easily identify the monomial with the highest degree. l(m) = 2m^6 -m^5-5m^3+3m^2+19 Looking at the polynomial function, we can see that the monomial with the highest degree has a degree of 6. Therefore, by the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, the function has 6 solutions. Keep in mind that repeating solutions count as multiple solutions.
We need to find the number of solutions, or zeros, for the given polynomial function. g(h) = 4h ^2 - 10h + 5h^3 - 21 To do so, first we need to recall the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra |- If f(x) is a polynomial of degree n≥ 1, then f(x)=0 has exactly n solutions.
To determine the degree of the polynomial, we need to find the monomial with the highest exponent in the given function. We can start by ordering the monomials in order of degree. Let's do it! g(h) = 4h ^2 - 10h + 5h^3 - 21 ⇕ g(h) = 5h^3 + 4h ^2 - 10h - 21 Now we can easily identify the monomial of the highest degree. g(h) = 5h^3 + 4h ^2 - 10h - 21 Looking at the polynomial function, we can see that the monomial with the highest degree has a degree of 3. Therefore, by the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, the function has 3 solutions. Keep in mind that repeating solutions count as multiple solutions.
We want to write a polynomial function with rational coefficients so that f(x) has the given zeros. -3, 2, 5 To write the function, it is helpful to recall the Factor Theorem.
Factor Theorem |- The binomial x-k is a factor of P(x) if and only if k is a zero of P(x). Since we are given the zeros, we can write the binomials that are factors of the polynomial.
Zero | Factor |
---|---|
-3 | x-(-3) ⇔ x+3 |
2 | x-2 |
5 | x-5 |
Polynomial | f(x)= ( x+3)( x-2)( x-5) |
Let's simplify the polynomial by applying the Distributive Property. We will start by multiplying the first two factors.
Continue by distributing the last factor to the terms inside the parentheses.
We want to write a polynomial function with rational coefficients so that f(x) has the given zeros. 2, 4, 7 To write the function, we will recall the Factor Theorem.
Factor Theorem |- The binomial x-k is a factor of P(x) if and only if k is a zero of P(x). Since we are given the zeros, we can write the binomials that are factors of the polynomial.
Zero | Factor |
---|---|
2 | x-2 |
4 | x-4 |
7 | x-7 |
Polynomial | f(x)= ( x-2)( x-4)( x-7) |
Let's simplify the polynomial by applying the Distributive Property. We will start by multiplying the first two factors.
Let's continue by distributing the last factor to the terms inside the parentheses.
To know who is correct, we need to find the possible number of negative real zeros that the polynomial function g can have. To do so, we use Descartes' Rule of Signs. To find the possible number of negative real zeros, we need to find the number of sign changes in the polynomial function g(- x). Let's find g(- x).
We can now find the number of sign changes in g(- x).
We see that there are two sign changes in the function g(- x). By Descartes' Rule of Signs, the function can have 2 negative zeros or a smaller number separated by an even number. Therefore, the function can have either 0 or 2 negative zeros. This means that it is possible for the function to have no negative real zeros. Heichi is correct.
We can use Descartes' Rule of Signs to determine the number of positive real zeros of a polynomial. To do so, we need to find the number of sign changes of the polynomial. Be aware that to do this, the polynomial must be written in standard form. Our polynomial is already written in standard form, so we can proceed.
We can see that this polynomial function has 2 sign changes. Therefore, by Descartes' Rule of Signs, the polynomial can have 2 positive real zeros, or a number that is an even number less than 2. This means that the function can have either 0 or 2 positive real zeros.