Chapter 4

Polynomial functions
 This leads us to the
Rational Root Theorem
Y  a0 x n  a1x n1  ...  an1x  an

For a polynomial,
If p/q is a root of the polynomial,
then p is a factor of an
and q is a factor of ao
 Example (RRT)
. For polynomial x 3  x 2  3x  3  0 Here p = -3 and q = 1
Possible roots areFactors of -3  ±3, ±1 Or 3,-3, 1, -1
Factors of 1 ±1
___________________________________

2.For polynomial 3 x 3  9 x 2  4 x  12  0 Here p = 12 and q = 3

Factors of 12 ±12, ±6 , ±3 , ± 2 , ±1 ±4
Factors of 3  ±1 , ±3
roots are ______________________________________________
Or ±12, ±4, ±6, ±2, ±3, ±1, ± 2/3, ±1/3, ±4/3

Wait a second . . . Where did all of these

come from???
 Let’s look at our solutions
±12, ±6 , ±3 , ± 2 , ±1, ±4
±1 , ±3  12
 12
 12
 4
1 3
6 6
Note that + 2 is listed  6
3
 2
1
twice; we only consider 3 3
 3  1
it as one answer 1 3
2 2 2
 2 
1 3 3
Note that + 1 is listed 1 1 1
 1 
twice; we only consider 1 3 3
4 4
it as one answer 4
 4 
1 3 3

Note that + 4 is listed

twice; we only consider
it as one answer That is where our 9 possible answers
come from!
(note: not all possible rational roots are zeros!)
 Let’s Try One
Find the POSSIBLE roots of 5x3-24x2+41x-20=0
Let’s Try One
5x3-24x2+41x-20=0
Rational -root theorem
 E

D
E

C
E

E
 C