Section 4.

3
Complex Zeros;
Fundamental Theorem of
Algebra

A polynomial of degree 5 whose coefficients are real numbers

has the zeros 2, 3i, and 2 + 4i. Find the remaining two zeros.
Since f has coefficients that are real numbers, complex zeros
appear as conjugate pairs. It follows that 3i, the conjugate of
3i, and 2 4i, the conjugate of 2 + 4i, are the two remaining
zeros.

Find a polynomial f of degree 4 whose coefficients are

real numbers and that has the zeros 1, 1, 4+i.
Since 4 + i is a zero, by the Conjugate Pairs Theorem, 4 i is also a zero.

Homework
Pg 215 #s 7-12 all

Find the complex zeros of the polynomial function and write f in factored form.
f x x 4 2 x 3 x 2 - 8 x - 20

Step 1: The degree of f is 4 so there will be 4 complex zeros.

p
Step 2: The potential rational zeros are : 1, 2, 4, 5, 10, 20
q

21
1
- 2 1
1

- 8

- 20

18

20

10

10

- 2 - 4

- 10

f x x - 2 x 3 4 x 2 9 x 10

f x x - 2 x 2 x 2 2 x 5

x - 2 x 2 x 2 2 x 5 0

x - 2 0 or x 2 0 or x 2 2 x 5 0
- 2 or x
x 2 or x

2 22 - 4 1 5
2 1

Find the complex zeros of the polynomial function and write f in factored form.
f x x 4 2 x 3 x 2 8 x 20
2

f x x - 2 x 2 x 2 x 5

x 2 or x 2 or x

2 2 2 - 4 1 5
2 1

2 - 16

1 2i
2

The four complex zeros of f are - 2, 2, 1 2i, 1 - 2i .

f x x - 2 x 2 x - 1 2i x - 1 - 2i

Homework
Pg 215 #s 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25