Scribd
Upload
10 views12 pages

Solving Polynomials With Complex Roots Notes

The document discusses solving polynomials with complex roots, explaining the significance of root multiplicity and how to determine the degree of a polynomial based on its roots and turns. It provides step-by-step methods for finding real and imaginary roots using graphing and synthetic division, including examples of degree 4 polynomials. The final solutions include both real and complex roots, demonstrating the process of factoring and solving polynomial equations.

Uploaded by

ll7120483
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views12 pages

Solving Polynomials With Complex Roots Notes

The document discusses solving polynomials with complex roots, explaining the significance of root multiplicity and how to determine the degree of a polynomial based on its roots and turns. It provides step-by-step methods for finding real and imaginary roots using graphing and synthetic division, including examples of degree 4 polynomials. The final solutions include both real and complex roots, demonstrating the process of factoring and solving polynomial equations.

Uploaded by

ll7120483
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

Solving Polynomials with Complex Roots

Some roots have a multiplicity meaning they


are a double, triple, or more root.

Single roots
Double root

Triple root: bends


as it goes through

Triple roots count as


double turns.
What kind(s) of roots does this graph have?

This graph has 2 double roots and 1 single


root, 4 turns. It is degree 5.
Determine the degree of the polynomial from its
graph.

This graph has 1


double root and 2
single roots, it has 5
turns. So it must be
at least degree 6
based on the turns.

If the polynomial is degree 6 but only has 4 roots


accounted for (1 double, 2 single), then where are
the other two roots? They’re imaginary!
The degree of a polynomial tells you how many zeroes
it will have. A 4th degree will always have 4 roots.

Some of those 4 zeroes may be imaginary.

Imaginary solutions always come in pairs.


(i.e. +4i and -4i or 3+2i and 3–2i)

A 4th degree polynomial could have: 4 real roots,


2 real and 2 imaginary, or 4 imaginary.

Use the graphing, synthetic division, and (possibly) the


quadratic formula to solve.
4 3 2
Solve x – 3x + 5x – 27x – 36 = 0 by
finding all roots.

The polynomial is of degree 4, so there are exactly


four roots for the equation.

Step 1 Graph the function to find all real roots

Find the real roots at


–1 and 4.
Step 2 Use synthetic division to simplify the
polynomial.

–1 1 –3 5 –27 –36 Use x = -1, the factor (x + 1),


–1 4 –9 36 for synthetic division.

1 –4 9 –36 0

The simplified polynomial is now: (x + 1)(x3 – 4x2 + 9x – 36)


Step 3 Use synthetic division to simplify the
polynomial with the other root.

4 1 –4 9 –36 Use x = 4, the factor (x - 4), for


4 0 36 synthetic division.

1 0 9 0

The simplified polynomial is now: (x + 1)(x - 4)(x2 + 9)


2
Step 4 Solve x + 9 = 0 to find the remaining roots.

x2 + 9 = 0
x2 = –9
x = ±3i
The fully factored form of the equation is
(x + 1)(x – 4)(x + 3i)(x – 3i) = 0. The solutions
are 4, –1, 3i, –3i.
3 2
Solve x4 + 5x + 13x + 15x + 6= 0 by
finding all roots.

The polynomial is of degree 4, so there are exactly


four roots for the equation.

Step 1 Graph the function to find all real roots

There is a double root


at x = -1
Step 2 Use synthetic division to simplify the
polynomial.

-1 1 5 13 15 6 Use x = -1 , the factor (x + 1),


-1 -4 -9 -6 for synthetic division.

1 4 9 6 0

The simplified polynomial is now: (x + 1)(x3 + 4x2 + 9x + 6)


Step 3 Use synthetic division to simplify the
polynomial with the other root.

-1 1 4 9 6 Use x = -1 , the factor (x + 1), for


synthetic division (again)
-1 -3 -6
1 3 6 0

The simplified polynomial is now: (x + 1)(x + 1)(x2 + 3x + 6)


2
Step 4 Solve x + 3x + 6 = 0 to find the remaining
roots.

Write the Quadratic Formula.

−3 ± 32 − 4(1)(6)
𝑥= Substitute and simplify.
2(1)
−3 ± 9 − 24 Write as 2 solutions.
𝑥=
2
−3 + −15 −3 − −15 Simplify.
𝑥= 𝑥=
2 2
𝑥 = −1.5 + 1.936𝑖 𝑥 = −1.5 − 1.936𝑖
The fully factored form of the equation is
(x + 1)(x + 1)(x + (-1.5 + 1.936𝑖))(x – (-1.5 – 1.936𝑖)) = 0.
The solutions are -1 mult. of 2, -1.5 + 1.936𝑖, -1.5 – 1.936𝑖

You might also like