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