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Learning Goal: I can use the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra. I can find the
4.6 conjugate pairs of complex zeros of polynomial functions. I can use Descartes’s
Rule of Signs.
Vocabulary:
complex conjugates – Pairs of complex numbers of the forms a + bi and a − bi .

Core Concepts
The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Theorem If f ( x ) is a polynomial of degree n where n  0, then the equation
f ( x) = 0 has at least one solution in the set of complex numbers.

Corollary If f ( x ) is a polynomial of degree n where n  0, then the equation

f ( x) = 0 has exactly n solutions provided each solution repeated twice
is counted as two solutions, each solution repeated three times is
counted as three solutions, and so on.

Examples: Identify the number of solutions or zeros.

1) 5 x3 − 3x 2 + 7 x − 3 = 0 2) z 3 − z 4 + 8 z − 1 = 0

Find all zeros of the polynomial function.

3. g ( x) = x 4 − 48 x 2 − 49 4. h( x) = x 4 − 3x3 + 6 x 2 + 2 x − 60

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4.6 Notetaking with Vocabulary (continued)

The Complex Conjugates Theorem

If f is a polynomial function with real coefficients, and a + bi is an imaginary zero of f, then a − bi is also a zero
of f.

Examples:
5) If 3 + 2i is a zero, what is the other zero?

6) Use the sum/product method to find the quadratic equation that results in a solution of 2 – 5i.

Descartes’s Rule of Signs – Section 4.6 Part 2

Let f ( x) = an xn + an −1 x n −1 + + a2 x 2 + a1 x + a0 be a polynomial function with real coefficients.

• The number of positive real zeros of f is equal to the number of changes in sign of the coefficients
of f ( x ) or is less than this by an even number.

• The number of negative real zeros of f is equal to the number of changes in sign of the coefficients
of f ( − x ) or is less than this by an even number.

Examples: Determine the possible numbers of positive real zeros, negative real zeros,
and imaginary zeros. For #3 -4, Determine the possible numbers of positive real zeros,
negative real zeros, and imaginary zeros, then solve.
1) g ( x) = − x3 + 5x 2 + 12 2) g ( x) = x5 + 4 x 4 − 4 x3 − 3x 2 + 8 x − 1

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3. h( x) = − 5x3 + 9 x 2 − 18x − 4 4. f ( x) = x3 − 3x2 − 15x + 125

In Exercises 5 - 6, write a polynomial function f of least degree that has rational

coefficients, a leading coefficient of 1, and the given zeros.

5. 8, 3 − i 6. 0, 2 − 2, 2 + 3i

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