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  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!)
Listing Possible Rational Roots

 When remembering how to find the list of all

possible rational roots of a polynomial,
remember the silly snake puts his tail over his
head (factors of the “tail of the polynomial”
over factors of the “head of the polynomial”).
Practice! This is how we LEARN…


Ex 3: 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
Ex 4: 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
 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 3x  2  0 x  2 2
6 -4 3x  2 3 x  1, , 2
3
3 -2 0
 Section 3.3 – Polynomial Functions
Definition:
Multiplicity
The number of times a factor (m) of a function is
repeated is referred to its multiplicity (zero multiplicity
of m).
Zero Multiplicity of an Even Number
The graph of the function
touches the x-axis but does
not cross it.
Zero Multiplicity of an Odd
Number The graph of the function
crosses the x-axis.
 Section 3.3 – Polynomial Functions
Identify the zeros and their multiplicity

3 is a zero with a multiplicity of 1 Graph crosses the x-axis.

-2 is a zero with a multiplicity of 3 Graph crosses the x-axis.

-4 is a zero with a multiplicity of 1 Graph crosses the x-axis.

7 is a zero with a multiplicity of 2 Graph touches the x-axis.

-1 is a zero with a multiplicity of 1 Graph crosses the x-axis.

4 is a zero with a multiplicity of 1 Graph crosses the x-axis.

2 is a zero with a multiplicity of 2 Graph touches the x-axis.

Homework

 3.3 #1-5 all, 10-26 EOE, and 32