RATIONAL

ROOTS
THEOREM
RATIONAL ROOTS
THEOREM
Let be any polynomial with integer
coefficients. If and are integers with no
common factors and is a rational root of the
equation , then is a divisor of and is a
divisor of .
 The possible divisors of 10, the constant term,
are

The possible divisors of 1, the coefficient of , are

Hence, the possible rational roots of the equation are

Check these values for a zero of

Since is a zero, is a factor of the polynomial.
Let’s divide the polynomial by .

𝟏 −𝟔 𝟑𝟏𝟎
−𝟏
−𝟏 𝟕 −𝟏𝟎
𝟏 −𝟕 𝟏𝟎 𝟎
The other factor is . By factoring , we obtain the complete
factors of .

Using the Principle of Zero Products, we obtain the roots

of the polynomial equation.

The roots of are .

YOUR
TURN! 1
Solve.
 YOUR
TURN! 1
ASSIGNMENT #4
Solve.
YOUR
TURN! 2
ASSIGNMENT #4
Solve.
 Since all coefficients of the polynomial are
positive, we will eliminate the positive values as
possible roots.
possible divisors are
possible divisors are
possible roots are .
 Checking the values for a zero of .

𝟏 𝟏 𝟔𝟔
Since is a zero, then is a factor .

−𝟏
−𝟏 𝟎 −𝟔
𝟏𝟎 𝟔 𝟎
 The other factor is .
Thus, .
It has one rational root, .
YOUR
TURN!
Solve.
 Consider
a. List the integer divisors of the leading
coefficient .

b. List the integer divisors of the constant term .

c. Give all the possible ratios of a divisor which is .

 Consider
d. Find a root of from the rational numbers obtained in letter c.
 Consider

e. Use synthetic division to find the remaining

𝟏 𝟐 −𝟒−𝟖
factors.

−𝟐
−𝟐 −𝟖 −𝟖
𝟏 𝟒 𝟒 𝟎
The remaining factor is .
 Consider
f. Give the three roots of the equation.

The root of the equation is and it is a multiple root.

g. Write as a product of linear factors.
SECOND LONG QUIZ (2nd
Quarter)
Find the rational root/s of each equation.
(10pts each)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.