Rational Root Theorem

Sometimes, we will not be told what to divide our polynomials by in order to find the roots.

Example: f ( x) = x3 + 3 x 2 − 4 x − 12

For situations where we need to find all the roots, we can use the Rational Root Theorem. In
order to fully understand this theorem, we must become familiar with the Factor/Remainder
Theorem.

Factor/Remainder Theorem - Let k be any number:

1. If f(k) ≠ 0, then k is ___________
2. If f(k) = 0, then k is ___________

Examples: Is (x-3) a factor of f ( x) = 2 x3 − x 2 + 5 x − 12 ? Is (2x-3)?

Instead of just guessing and checking to find our roots, we can use the Rational Root
Theorem to determine our possible roots.
Without using a graphing calculator, find the roots to the following equation.

f (x )= 4x 3 − 8x 2 + x + 3
Rational Root Theorem
y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d
1. List all possible p values (factors of p) (last term)
2. List all possible q values (factors of q) (first term)
p
3. List all possible roots
q
4. Test the roots using the remainder theorem
5. Use synthetic division for the roots that work
6. Repeat (you may also use any other possible
algebraic method)
Practice Problems: Use the Rational Root Theorem to list all the possible roots. Then, find all
of the roots. Finally, graph the polynomials using end behavior.

1. f (x ) =x 4 − 3x 2 + 2 2. f (x ) = 2x 4 − 3x 3 − 21x 2 − 2x + 24

3. f (x ) =x 3 + 6x 2 − 13x − 6 4. f (x ) = x 3 − x 2 − 8x + 12
5. f (x ) =x 3 − 9x 2 + 27 x − 27 6. f (x ) = x 4 − 3x 3 − 11x 2 + 3x + 10

7. f (x ) = 2x 3 + 3x 2 + 5x + 2 8. f (x ) = 2x 3 − 7 x 2 + 4x + 3