Scribd
Upload
276 views12 pages

Factor Theorem & Rational Root Theorem

1) The rational root theorem states that if a polynomial has a rational root of the form p/q, then p must be a factor of the constant term and q must be a factor of the leading coefficient. 2) It can be used to find all possible rational roots of a polynomial equation, which can then be checked using synthetic division or factoring. 3) Examples demonstrate finding rational roots of various polynomial equations by applying the rational root theorem to determine possible roots, and then using synthetic division or factoring to identify the actual roots.

Uploaded by

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

Factor Theorem & Rational Root Theorem

1) The rational root theorem states that if a polynomial has a rational root of the form p/q, then p must be a factor of the constant term and q must be a factor of the leading coefficient. 2) It can be used to find all possible rational roots of a polynomial equation, which can then be checked using synthetic division or factoring. 3) Examples demonstrate finding rational roots of various polynomial equations by applying the rational root theorem to determine possible roots, and then using synthetic division or factoring to identify the actual roots.

Uploaded by

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

Factor Theorem & Rational

Root Theorem

Objective:
SWBAT find zeros of a polynomial by
using Rational Root Theorem
(also known as Rational Zeros Theorem)
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
Terminology:

 Solutions (or roots) of polynomial equations

 Zeros of polynomial functions


 “k is a zero of the function f if f(k) = 0”
 zeros of functions are the x values of the points
where the graph of the function crosses the x-axis
(x-intercepts where y = 0)
Ex 1: A polynomial function and one of
its zeros are given, find the remaining
zeros:P ( x)  x 3  3 x 2  4 x  12; 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 3  7 x  6;  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 roots)
to find rational
1 4 3 -1 -1 4 3 -1 4x 1  0
4 7 -4 1 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!)
Practice! This is how we LEARN…

  
Ex 3: Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x  2 x  13x  10  0
3 2

 
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
Ex 4: Solve using the Rational Root Theorem:
x  4x  x  4  0
3 2

 
possible rational roots: 1, 2, 4

1 1 -4 -1 4 x 2  3x  4  0
1 -3 -4  x  4   x  1  0
1 -3 -4 0 yes ! x  1, 4

x  1, 1, 4
Ex 5: 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 3 x  2  0 x  2 2
6 -4 3x  2 3 x  1, , 2
3
3 -2 0

You might also like