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3.3 Rational Root Theorem

The document discusses the rational root theorem, which states that if a polynomial with rational coefficients has a rational root in the form of p/q, then p must be a factor of the constant term and q must be a factor of the leading coefficient. Several examples are provided to demonstrate how to use the rational root theorem to find rational roots of polynomials. Factoring and synthetic division are also introduced as methods to find all roots of a polynomial once a single rational root is identified.

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Frances Mae Villasenor
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176 views15 pages

3.3 Rational Root Theorem

The document discusses the rational root theorem, which states that if a polynomial with rational coefficients has a rational root in the form of p/q, then p must be a factor of the constant term and q must be a factor of the leading coefficient. Several examples are provided to demonstrate how to use the rational root theorem to find rational roots of polynomials. Factoring and synthetic division are also introduced as methods to find all roots of a polynomial once a single rational root is identified.

Uploaded by

Frances Mae Villasenor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Rational Root

Theorem
REVIEW
The Factor Theorem:

 For a polynomial P(x), x – k is a factor iff P(k) = 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
Ex 1: A polynomial function and one of its
zeros are given, find the remaining zeros:
P( x)  x  3x  4 x  12; 2
3 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  7 x  6;  3
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 to find rational roots)
1 4 3 -1 -1 4 3 -1 4x 1  0
1
4 7 -4 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!)
Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x3  2 x 2  13x  10  0
possible rational roots: 1, 2, 5, 10

x  3x  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
Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x3  4 x 2  x  4  0
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
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 3x  2  0 x  2 2
6 -4 3x  2 3 x  1, , 2
3
3 -2 0
TIME FOR
GROUP
ACTIVITY
THANK YOU
–CJ,FRANCES

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