College Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305115546
ISBN 13: 978-1-30511-554-5

Chapter 3, Polynomial and Rational Functions - Section 3.3 - Dividing Polynomials - 3.3 Exercises - Page 310: 62

Answer

$x=\left\{- \frac{1}{2}, 5 \right\}$

Work Step by Step

The factor theorem says that if $f(c)=0$, then $(x-c)$ is a factor of $f(x)$, and if $(x-c)$ is a factor of $f(x)$, then $f(c)=0$. We check $x=-1$: $f(-1)=2(-1)^4-13(-1)^3+7(-1)^2+37(-1)+15=0$ and We check $x=3$: $f(3)=2(3)^4-13(3)^3+7(3)^2+37(3)+15=0$ thus, it is indeed a zero. Then, we can write: $f(x)=(x+1)(x-3)(2x^2-9x-5)$. Factorize the trinomial factor $(2x^2-9x-5)$ (find two factors of $2(-5)=-10$ whose sum is $-9$): ($-10$ and $+1$). $2x^2-9x-5=2x^2+x-10x-5$ ...factor in pairs... $=x(2x+1)-5(2x+1)=(2x+1)(x-5)$. $f(x)=(x+1)(x-3)(2x+1)(x-5)$. Thus the other zeros are: $$x=\left\{- \frac{1}{2}, 5 \right\}$$
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