Factor Theorem & Rational

Root Theorem

Objective:
SWBAT find zeros of a polynomial by
using Rational Root Theorem
The Factor Theorem:

 For a polynomial P(x), x – a is a factor iff P(a) = 0

 iff
 “if and only if”
 It means that a theorem and its converse are true
 If P(x) = x3 – 5x2 + 2x + 8,
determine whether x – 4 is a factor.
4 1 -5 2 8
4 -4 -8
1 -1 -2 0 remainder is 0, therefore yes

other factor

 x  4 x 2
 x  2  x  5x  2 x  8
3 2
 Terminology:

 Solutions (or roots) of polynomial equations

 Zeros of polynomial functions

 “r is a zero of the function f if f(r) = 0”
 zeros of functions are the x values of the points
where the graph of the function crosses the x-axis
(x-intercepts where y = 0)
Ex 1: A polynomial function and one of
its zeros are given, find the remaining
zeros:P ( x)  x 3  3 x 2  4 x  12; 2

2 1 3 -4 -12 x  5x  6  0
2

2 10 12  x  2  x  3  0
1 5 6 0 x  2,  3
 Ex 2: A polynomial function and one of
its zeros are given, find the remaining
zeros: P ( x)  x 3  7 x  6;  3
-3 1 0 -7 6
x  3x  2  0
2

-3 9 -6
 x  1 x  2   0
1 -3 2 0
x  1, 2
 Rational Root Theorem:

Suppose that a polynomial equation with integral

coefficients has the root p/q , where p and q
are relatively prime integers. Then p must be a
factor of the constant term of the polynomial
and q must be a factor of the coefficient of the
highest degree term.

(useful when solving higher degree polynomial equations)

 Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
 4x2 + 3x – 1 = 0 (any rational root must have a numerator
that is a factor of -1 and a denominator
that is a factor of 4)
factors of -1: ±1
factors of 4: ±1,2,4
1 1
possible rational roots: 1, , (now use synthetic
division 2 4
1 4 3 -1 -1 4 3 -1 4 to
x find
1  0rational roots)
4 7 -4 1 1
4x  1 x  1,
4 7 6 no 4 -1 0 yes ! 1 4
x
4
(note: not all possible rational roots are zeros!)
Ex 3: Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x  2 x  13x  10  0
3 2

possible rational roots: 1, 2, 5, 10

x  3 x  10  0
2
1 1 2 -13 10
1 3 -10  x  5 x  2   0
1 3 -10 0 yes ! x  5, 2
x  5, 1, 2
Ex 4: Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x  4x  x  4  0
3 2

possible rational roots: 1, 2, 4

1 1 -4 -1 4 x  3x  4  0
2

1 -3 -4  x  4  x  1  0
1 -3 -4 0 yes ! x  1, 4

x  1, 1, 4
 Ex 5: Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
3x  5 x  4 x  4  0
3 2

1 2 4
possible rational roots: 1, 2, 4, , ,
3 3 3
-1 3 -5 -4 4 3x 2  8 x  4  0
-3 8 -4 3x  2  x  2   0
3 -8 -4 0 yes ! 2
To find other roots can use synthetic division x ,2
using other possible roots on these coefficients. 3
(or factor and solve the quadratic equation)
2 3 -8 4 3 x  2  0 2 2
6 -4 3x  2
x
3 x  1, , 2
3
3 -2 0