Z

COMPLEX
R
O
S
Complex zeros of a polynomial could result from one
of two types of factors:

Type 1 x +4=0
2
x = −4
2 x = ± 2i

Type 2 x2 + 2x + 5 = 0
−2± ( 2) 2 − 4(1)( 5) − 2 ± − 16
x= = = −1 ± 2i
2(1) 2

Notice that with either type, the complex zeros come in

conjugate pairs. There are 2 complex solutions that
have the same real term and opposite signs on
imaginary term. This will always be the case.
Complex zeros come in conjugate pairs.
 So if asked to find a polynomial that has zeros, 2 and
1 – 3i, you would know another zero would be 1 + 3i.
Let’s find such a polynomial by putting the zeros in
factor form and multiplying them together.
If x = the zero then
x - the zero is the factor form. ( x − 2) ( x − (1 − 3i ) ) ( x − (1 + 3i ) )
( x − 2) ( x − 1 + 3i ) ( x − 1 − 3i ) Multiply the last two factors
together. All i terms should
disappear when simplified.

( x − 2) ( x 2
− x − 3xi − x + 1 + 3i + 3 xi − 3i − 9i 2
)
(
= ( x − 2 ) x − 2 x + 10
2
) Now multiply the x – 2 through
-1

= x 3 − 4 x 2 + 14 x − 20
Here is a 3rd degree polynomial with zeros 2, 1 - 3i and 1 + 3i
Let’s take this polynomial and pretend we didn’t know the
zeros and work the other direction so we can see the
relationship to everything we’ve learned in this chapter.

f ( x ) = x − 4 x + 14 x − 20
3 2
± 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
Possible
rational zeros 1
By Descartes Rule there are 3 or 1 positive real zeros (3 sign changes
in f(x)) and no negative real zeros (no sign changes in f(-x)).

Let’s try 2 2 1 -4 14 -20

(of course 2 -4 20 Now put variables
from our
back in and factor
previous 1 -2 10 0 or use quadratic
work we
know that will formula
work!) x 2 − 2 x + 10 = 0
So there was one positive
By quad formula: x = 1± 3i and two imaginary zeros
 Use the given zero to find the remaining zeros of the function

f ( x ) = 3 x + 5 x + 25 x + 45 x − 18; zero = 3i
4 3 2

Since 3i is a zero we also know that its conjugate -3i is

also a zero. Let’s use synthetic division and reduce our
polynomial by these zeros then.

3i 3 5 25 45 -18
9i -27+15i -45-6i 18
-3i 3 5+9i -2+15i -6i 0
-9i -15i 6i 0
So the zeros3of this5 function
-2 are 30i, -3i, 1/3, and -2
Put variables in here & set to 0
and factor or formula this to get
3x + 5 x − 2 = 0
2

remaining zeros. ( )(
3x − 1 x + 2 = 0 )