In Example 2, change the middle term of the second factor to 2x. Data from Example 2
Question:
In Example 2, change the middle term of the second factor to 2x.
Data from Example 2
Consider the equation f(x) = (x − 1)3 (x2 + x + 1) = 0.
The factor (x − 1)3 shows that there is a triple root of 1, and there is a total of five roots, because the highest-power term would be x5 if we were to multiply out the function. To find the other two roots, we use the quadratic formula on the factor (x2 + x + 1). This is permissible, because we are finding the values of x for x2 + x + 1 = 0.
For this, we have
Thus,
Therefore, the roots of f(x) = 0 are 1, 1, 1,
In the graph of f(x) shown in Fig. 15.1, the zero feature gives a value of x = 1, but the calculator display does not show that it is a triple root, or that there are complex roots.
Step by Step Answer:
Basic Technical Mathematics
ISBN: 9780137529896
12th Edition
Authors: Allyn J. Washington, Richard Evans