Advanced Functions

Course Notes

Chapter 3 – Polynomial
Equations and Inequalities
We will learn
 how to find solutions to polynomial equations using tech and using
algebraic techniques
 how to solve polynomial inequalities with and without tech
 how to apply the techniques and concepts to solve problems involving
polynomial models

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Chapter 3 – Polynomial Equations and Inequalities
Contents with suggested problems from the Nelson Textbook (Chapter 4). You are welcome to
ask for help, from myself or your peers, with any of the following problems. They will be handed
in on the day of the Unit Test as a homework check.

3.1 Solving Polynomial Equations – Pg 57 - 61

Pg. 204 – 206 #1, 2, 6 – 8, 10 – 12, 14, 15

3.2 Linear Inequalities – Pg 63 – 66

Pg. 213 – 215 #1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13

3.3 Solving Polynomial Inequalities – Pg 67 – 70

Pg. 225 – 228 #2, 5 – 7, 10 – 13

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3.1 Solving Polynomial Equations
Learning Goal: We are learning to solve polynomial equations using a variety of strategies.

Before embarking on this wonderful journey, it seems to me that it would be prudent to make
some (seemingly silly) opening statements.

Seemingly Silly Opening Statements

1) Polynomial equations ARE NOT polynomial functions!
2) Solving any equation MEANS finding a SOLUTION (if a solution exists)!
3) Solving a polynomial equation is ALWAYS equivalent to finding the zeros of some
polynomial function!

Example 3.1.1 (back to Grade 9)

Solve the linear equation
3  x  5  2  5 x  6

Example 3.1.2 (remember grade 11?)

Solve the quadratic equation
5 x  x  1  7  2 x 2  9
Geometrically speaking, solving a quadratic equation is equivalent to finding the
zeros of a quadratic function.
Solving the equation in Example 3.1.2 means the same thing as finding the zeros of
the function

Note further that quadratic functions can have

2 zeros 1 zero 0 zeros

Thus quadratic equations can have 2 solutions, 1 solution or no solutions!

Comments about Higher Order Polynomial Equations

Consider the cubic EQUATION x 3  2 x 2  5  1  0 .

Q. How many zeros can this equation have?
Ans.

Consider the quartic equation 4 x 4  3x 3  5 x 2  3 x  1  0 .

Q. How many zeros can this equation have?
Ans.

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 Note: Solving Polynomial
Example 3.1.3 Equations requires writing
Solve the polynomial equation by factoring: the equation in Standard
4 x3  3x  1 Form, which is:
“polynomial = 0”

Example 3.1.4
Solve the equation by factoring:
12 x 4  16 x 3  11x  13x 2  6

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 Rational Zero Test
Consider 12x 3  4 x 2  17 x  6  0 .
We now, when using the factor theorem, will “test for zeros” using 2 steps:
1) Test for integer zeros using factors of the constant term.

b
2) Test for rational zeros, where we consider x 
a

The possible rational zeros are:

Back to Example 3.1.4

For g ( x )  12 x 3  4 x 2  17 x  6 the possible rational zeros are:

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Example 3.1.5
Solve the equation 3 x3  4 x  2  0 .

Success Criteria:
 I can solve polynomial equations algebraically (by factoring) AND graphically
 I can recognize that only SOME polynomial equations can be solved by factoring
 I can recognize that some solutions may not make sense in the context of the question

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3.2 Linear Inequalities
Learning Goal: We are learning to solve linear inequalities.

Once again, it seems a good idea to begin with a couple of opening statements.

Absolutely Non-Silly Opening Statements

1) The algebra of inequalities is the SAME as the algebra on equality (i.e. solving equations),
with two exceptions:

a) If you by a negative, then

b) We can have 2 sided inequalities – e.g.

2) The Solution Set of inequalities is

Example 3.2.1
Solve the (linear) inequality 3 x  2  4 .

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Example 3.2.2
Solve the two sided inequality 2  4 x  5  3 .

Example 3.2.3
Solve 5  3( x  2)  4( x  3)  12

Example 3.2.4
Write the following sketch of a
solution set in interval and set
notation:
Figure 3.2.4

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Graphical Views of (non-linear) Polynomial
Inequalities
(the Algebra is tough…)

Example 3.2.5
Consider the sketch of the graph of some mystery cubic function.
Q. When (or better WHERE) are the functional values positive?

Figure 3.2.5

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Example 3.2.6
Consider the sketch of the quartic g ( x) , and determine where
a) g ( x)  0
b) g ( x)  2
c)  1  g ( x )  2

Figure 3.2.6

Success Criteria:
 I can solve a linear inequality by using inverse operations
 I can recognize that when you multiply/divide by a negative number, you MUST reverse
the inequality sign
 I can recognize that linear inequalities have many solutions
 I can express the solution to a linear inequality on a number line

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3.3 Solving Polynomial Inequalities
Learning Goal: We are learning to solve polynomial inequalities.

For this section, no opening statements are required….

Non-Required Opening Statement

Solving non-linear polynomial inequalities can be accomplished in two ways:
1) Graphically (sometimes called Geometrically)
2) Algebraically (which tends to be more useful)

Example 3.3.1
Solve  2 x  1 x  2  x  3  0 REMEMBER: FACTORED FORM IS YOUR FRIEND

Graphically:
Note: Solving an inequality graphically is
rather easy, BUT

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Example 3.3.1 (Continued) Note: It is often helpful to remember that in
Solve  2 x  1 x  2  x  3  0 mathematics we are dealing with NUMBERS.

Algebraically
Numbers have signs: Positive or Negative
For this technique we will construct an
“Interval Chart”, which can also be e.g.  x  2  is a NUMBER whose sign
thought of as a “table of signs” (and switches from +’ve to –‘ve at x  2
wonders?) (i.e. the sign switches at the zero of the
factor)

The Interval Chart looks like:

Intervals Split the Domain  ,   at all ZEROS of the Factors

Test Values Choose a Domain value inside each Interval
Sign on 1st Factor
Sign on 2nd Factor
Sign on 3rd Factor
Sign on the Product of want to answer the
Find the Intervals with the sign we
Factors question

For our problem above, our chart will look like:

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Example 3.3.2
Solve algebraically 4 x 4  16 x3  x 2  39 x  18  0 . Wait a second….where is your
friend and mine…

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Success Criteria:
 I can solve polynomial inequalities algebraically by
1. Moving all terms to one side of the inequality
2. Factoring to find the zeros of the corresponding polynomial
3. Creating a number line, graph, or an interval chart
4. Determining the intervals on which the polynomial is positive or negative
 I can solve polynomial inequalities graphically

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