Find the Roots (Zeros) f(x)=x^4-3x^3-2x^2+3x-5
Problem
Solution
Identify the possible rational roots using the Rational Root Theorem, which suggests testing factors of the constant term
−5 divided by factors of the leading coefficient1 Test the possible rational roots
±1 and±5 using synthetic division or direct substitution.Evaluate
ƒ(1)=1−3−2+3−5=−6 Evaluate
ƒ*(−1)=1+3−2−3−5=−6 Evaluate
ƒ(5)=625−375−50+15−5=210 Evaluate
ƒ*(−5)=625+375−50−15−5=930 Observe that there are no rational roots, so we must use the quadratic formula on a depressed polynomial or numerical methods; however, we can check for factors by grouping or using the substitution
y=x−3/4 to depress the quartic.Factor the expression by grouping terms:
(x^4−5*x^2)+(−3*x^3+3*x)+(3*x^2−5) which does not yield a common factor.Rearrange and group as
(x^4−2*x^2−5)−(3*x^3−3*x)=(x^4−2*x^2−5)−3*x*(x^2−1) Apply the quadratic formula to the factors of the form
(x^2+a*x+b)*(x^2+c*x+d)=x^4−3*x^3−2*x^2+3*x−5 Solve the system of equations for coefficients:
a+c=−3 a*c+b+d=−2 a*d+b*c=3 andb*d=−5 Test integer values for
b andd such asb=1,d=−5 This givesa−5*c=3 anda+c=−3 Calculate
c=−1 anda=−2 from the system.Verify the middle term:
a*c+b+d=(−2)*(−1)+1−5=2+1−5=−2 which matches the original polynomial.Factor the polynomial into two quadratics:
(x^2−2*x+1)*(x^2−x−5)=0 Wait, checkinga*d+b*c (−2)*(−5)+(1)*(−1)=10−1=9≠3 Test
b=−1,d=5 This gives5*a−c=3 anda+c=−3 Calculate
6*a=0⇒a=0 andc=−3 Verify the middle term:
a*c+b+d=(0)*(−3)−1+5=4≠−2 Test
b=5,d=−1 This gives−a+5*c=3 anda+c=−3 Calculate
6*c=0⇒c=0 anda=−3 Verify the middle term:
a*c+b+d=(−3)*(0)+5−1=4≠−2 Test
b=−5,d=1 This givesa−5*c=3 anda+c=−3 Calculate
c=−1 anda=−2 Verify the middle term:
a*c+b+d=(−2)*(−1)−5+1=2−5+1=−2 Verify the linear term:
a*d+b*c=(−2)*(1)+(−5)*(−1)=−2+5=3 Factor the polynomial as
(x^2−2*x−5)*(x^2−x+1)=0 Solve
x^2−2*x−5=0 using the quadratic formula:x=(2±√(,4−4*(1)*(−5)))/2=(2±√(,24))/2=1±√(,6) Solve
x^2−x+1=0 using the quadratic formula:x=(1±√(,1−4*(1)*(1)))/2=(1±√(,−3))/2=(1±i√(,3))/2
Final Answer
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