The Rational Zero Theorem

The Rational Zero Theorem gives a list of possible rational zeros of a polynomial function. Equivalently, the theorem gives all possible rational roots of a polynomial equation. Not every number in the list will be a zero of the function, but every rational zero of the polynomial function will appear somewhere in the list.

The Rational Zero Theorem

n n n-1 n-1

p If f (x) = anx + an-1x ++ a1x + a0 has integer coefficients and q n n-1 1 0 p (where is reduced) is a rational zero, then p is a factor of the q constant term a0 and q is a factor of the leading coefficient an. 0 n

EXAMPLE: Using the Rational Zero Theorem

List all possible rational zeros of f (x) = 15x3 + 14x2 3x 2. Solution The constant term is 2 and the leading coefficient is 15. Factors of the constant term, 2 Factors of the leading coefficient, 15 1, 2 = 1, 3, 5, 15 = 1, 2,
Divide 1 and 2 by 1. 2 1, 3, 3 Divide 1 and 2 by 3. 2 1, 5, 5 Divide 1 and 2 by 5. 1 2 15 , 15 Divide 1 and 2 by 15.

Possible rational zeros =

There are 16 possible rational zeros. The actual solution set to f (x) = 15x3 + 14x2 3x 2 = 0 is {-1, 1/3, 2/5}, which contains 3 of the 16 possible solutions.

EXAMPLE:
Solve:

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0.

Solution Because we are given an equation, we will use the word "roots," rather than "zeros," in the solution process. We begin by listing all possible rational roots.

Possible rational zeros =

Factors of the constant term, 24 Factors of the leading coefficient, 1 1, 2 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 = 1 = 1, 2 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24

EXAMPLE:
Solve:

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0.

Solution The graph of f (x) = x4 6x2 8x + 24 is shown the figure below. Because the x-intercept is 2, we will test 2 by synthetic division and show that it is a root of the given equation. 2 1 1 0 6 8 24 2 4 4 24 2 2 12 0
The zero remainder indicates that 2 is a root of x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0. xintercep t: 2

EXAMPLE:
Solve: Solution

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0. Now we can rewrite the given equation in factored form. x4 6x2 + 8x + 24 = 0 (x 2)(x3 + 2x2 2x 12) = 0
This is the given equation. This is the result obtained from the synthetic division. Set each factor equal to zero.

x2= 0

or

x3 + 2x2 2x 12 = 0

Now we must continue by factoring x3 + 2x2 - 2x - 12 = 0

EXAMPLE:
Solve:

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0.

Solution Because the graph turns around at 2, this means that 2 is a root of even multiplicity. Thus, 2 must also be a root of x3 + 2x2 2x 12 = 0.
These are the coefficients of x3 + 2x2 2x 12 = 0.

1 1

2 2 4

2 12 8 12 6 0
The zero remainder indicates that 2 is a root of x3 + 2x2 2x 12 = 0.

xintercept :2

EXAMPLE:
Solve: Solution

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0. Now we can solve the original equation as follows. x4 6x2 + 8x + 24 = 0 (x 2)(x3 + 2x2 2x 12) = 0 (x 2)(x 2)(x2 + 4x + 6) = 0
This is the given equation. This was obtained from the first synthetic division. This was obtained from the second synthetic division. Set each factor equal to zero. Solve.

x2= 0 x= 2

or

x2= 0 x= 2

or

x2 + 4x + 6 = 0 x2 + 4x + 6 = 0

EXAMPLE:
Solve: Solution

Solving a Polynomial Equation

x4 6x2 8x + 24 = 0. We can use the quadratic formula to solve x2 + 4x + 6 = 0.

We use the quadratic formula because x2 + 4x + 6 = 0 cannot be factored. Let a = 1, b = 4, and c = 6. Multiply and subtract under the radical. 8 = Simplify. 4(2)(1) = 2i 2

b b 2 4ac x= 2a 4 42 4 ( 1) ( 6 ) = 2 ( 1) 4 8 = 2 4 2i 2 = 2 = 2 i 2

The solution set of the original equation is {2, i 2, + i 2 }. 2 2

Properties of Polynomial Equations

1. If a polynomial equation is of degree n, then counting multiple roots separately, the equation has n roots. 2. If a + bi is a root of a polynomial equation (b 0), then the nonreal complex number a bi is also a root. Non-real complex roots, if they exist, occur in conjugate pairs.

Descartes' Rule of Signs

n n1 2 If f (x) = anxn + an1xn1 + + a2x2 + a1x + a0 be a polynomial with real n n1 2 1 0 coefficients. 1. The number of positive real zeros of f is either equal to the number of sign changes of f (x) or is less than that number by an even integer. If there is only one variation in sign, there is exactly one positive real zero. 2. The number of negative real zeros of f is either equal to the number of sign changes of f ( or is less than that number by an even x) integer. If f ( has only one variation in sign, then f has exactly one x) negative real zero.

EXAMPLE:

Using Descartes Rule of Signs

Determine the possible number of positive and negative real zeros of f (x) = x3 + 2x2 + 5x + 4. Solution 1. To find possibilities for positive real zeros, count the number of sign changes in the equation for f (x). Because all the terms are positive, there are no variations in sign. Thus, there are no positive real zeros. 2. To find possibilities for negative real zeros, count the number of sign changes in the equation for f ( We obtain this equation by replacing x x). with in the given function. x f (x) = x3 + 2x2 +
Replace x with x.

5x + 4

This is the given polynomial function.

f ( = ( 3 + 2( 2 + 5( + 4 x) x) x) x) = 3 + 2x2 5x + 4 x

EXAMPLE:

Using Descartes Rule of Signs

Determine the possible number of positive and negative real zeros of f (x) = x3 + 2x2 + 5x + 4. Solution Now count the sign changes. f ( = 3 + 2x2 5x + 4 x) x
1 3 2

There are three variations in sign. # of negative real zeros of f is either equal to 3, or is less than this number by an even integer. This means that there are either 3 negative real zeros or 3 2 = 1 negative real zero.