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x 2 x 15 ( x 3)( x 5)
2
x 2 x 15
2
Since Factors are a Product...
COROLLARY:
A Polynomial Equation of the form P(x) = 0
of degree ‘n’ with complex coefficients has
exactly ‘n’ Roots in the set of Complex
Numbers.
Real/Imaginary Roots
If a polynomial has ‘n’ complex roots will its
graph have ‘n’ x-intercepts? 3
y x 4x
In this example, the
degree n = 3, and if we
factor the polynomial, the
roots are x = -2, 0, 2. We
can also see from the
graph that there are 3
x-intercepts.
Real/Imaginary Roots
Just because a polynomial has ‘n’ complex
roots doesn’t mean that they are all Real!
y x 3 2x 2 x 4
In this example,
however, the degree is
still n = 3, but there is
only one Real x-intercept
or root at x = -1, the
other 2 roots must have
imaginary components.
Descartes’ Rule of Signs
Arrange the terms of the polynomial P(x) in
descending degree:
• The number of times the coefficients of the terms
of P(x) change sign = the number of Positive Real
Roots (or less by any even number)
• The number of times the coefficients of the terms
of P(-x) change sign = the number of Negative
Real Roots (or less by any even number)
In the examples that follow, use Descartes’ Rule of Signs to
predict the number of + and - Real Roots!
Find Roots/Zeros of a
Polynomial
We can find the Roots or Zeros of a polynomial by
setting the polynomial equal to 0 and factoring.
3
Some are easier to f (x) x 4x
factor than others! x(x 2 4)
x(x 2)(x 2)