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Algebra 2
Course: Algebra 2 > Unit 5
Lesson 2: Positive and negative intervals of polynomials- Positive and negative intervals of polynomials
- Positive & negative intervals of polynomials
- Multiplicity of zeros of polynomials
- Zeros of polynomials (multiplicity)
- Zeros of polynomials (multiplicity)
- Zeros of polynomials & their graphs
- Positive & negative intervals of polynomials
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Zeros of polynomials & their graphs
Learn about the relationship between the zeros, roots, and x-intercepts of polynomials. Learn about zeros multiplicities.
What you will learn in this lesson
When studying polynomials, you often hear the terms zeros, roots, factors and
In this article, we will explore these characteristics of polynomials and the special relationship that they have with each other.
Fundamental connections for polynomial functions
For a polynomial
Let's understand this with the polynomial
First, we see that the linear factors of
If we set
A zero of a function is an
Finally, the
Check your understanding
Zeros and multiplicity
When a linear factor occurs multiple times in the factorization of a polynomial, that gives the related zero multiplicity.
For example, in the polynomial
Notice that when we expand
So in a sense, when you solve
In general, if
Check your understanding
The graphical connection
The multiplicity of a zero is important because it tells us how the graph of the polynomial will behave around the zero.
For example, notice that the graph of
Specifically, while the graphs crosses the
Let's look at the graph of a function that has the same zeros, but different multiplicities. For example, consider
Now we see that the graph of
In general, if a function
Check your understanding
Challenge problem
Want to join the conversation?
Why does the graph only touch the x axis at a zero of even multiplicity?(68 votes)
I've been thinking about this for a while and here's what I've come up with.
Let's say, for example, that f(x) = ( x - 4 ) ( x - 1 )^2.
( x - 4 ) is a root of odd multiplicity.
Notice that when x < 4, ( x - 4 ) is negative,
but when x > 4, ( x - 4 ) is positive.
So, depending on the value of x, the sign of ( x - 4 ) changes, which in turn changes the sign of f(x).
But also notice that for roots of even multiplicity [ ( x - 1 ) in this example], it doesn't matter what value of x is chosen. Once raised to their EVEN power, they will always be positive, so will not be able to change the sign of f(x).
So, if f(x) is negative as it approaches a zero of EVEN multiplicity, then f(x) will remain negative after it passes that zero (and likewise if f(x) was positive, it would remain positive). In other words, it would just touch the x-axis and then have to "bounce" away in the same (positive or negative) direction.
But if f(x) is negative (or positive) as it approaches a zero of ODD multiplicity, then f(x) will change sign --- in other words, the graph will cross through the x-axis instead of bouncing back.
I hope this has been helpful and hasn't ended up confusing you!(249 votes)
in the answer of the challenge question 8 how can there be 2 real roots . in total there are 3 roots as we see in the equation . but in the answer there are 2 real roots which will tell that there is only 1 imaginary root which does not exists. please help me . thanks in advance!!(17 votes)
There is no imaginary root. Sometimes, roots turn out to be the same (see discussion above on "Zeroes & Multiplicity"). That is what is happening in this equation. So, the equation degrades to having only 2 roots.
If you factor the polynomial, you get factors of: -X (X - 2) (X - 2). You can see, 2 of the factors are identical.
If you use these to solve for f(x) = 0, they create only 2 points: (0,0) and (2,0) because we have 2 identical factors that both create X=2.
Hope this helps.(38 votes)
For problem Check Your Understanding 6), if its "6", then why is it odd, not even?(9 votes)- The question asks about the multiplicity of the root, not whether the root itself is odd or even.
At a root of odd multiplicity, the graph will cross through the X-axis.
At a root of even multiplicity, the graph will bounce off the X-axis and not go through it.(14 votes)
Why is Zeros of polynomials & their graphs important in the real world, when am i ever going to use this?(7 votes)- It depends on the job that you want to have when you are older. School is meant to prepare students for any career path, including those that have to do with math. You might think now that you don't want a career with math, but you never know if you might decide to change your aspirations. When my mother was a child she hated math and thought it had no use, though later in life she actually went into a career that required her to have taken high math classes. You might use it later on! I'm grateful enough that I even have the opportunity to have such a nice education compared to developing countries where most citizens never make it to college.(17 votes)
- In challenge problem 8, I don't know understand how we get the general shape of the graph, as in how do we know when it continues in the positive or negative direction. So for example, from left to right, how do we know that the graph is going to be generally decreasing?(8 votes)
You don't have to know this to solve the problem. You can find the correct answer just by thinking about the zeros, and how the graph behaves around them (does it touch the x-axis or cross it). You can click on "I need help!" to see the solution.
If you want to know how to determine the direction of the graph, check out the next tutorial:
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/polynomial-functions/polynomial-end-behavior/a/end-behavior-of-polynomials(9 votes)
- How do they code the confetti when you click the button?(6 votes)
How would I solve f(x)=(2x-1)(x-5)?(3 votes)- You have a function with infinite solutions. It can be solved by using any input value for "x" and calculating "y".
What where you asked to find? If you were asked to find the zeroes, they are the X-intercepts. Use y=0 and find x.
(2x-1)(x-5) = 0
The polynomial is already in factored form. So, use the zero product rule to split the factors apart
2x-1=0 and x-5=0
Solve these and you have the zeros.
Hope this is what you meant by "sovle".(7 votes)
- Using multiplity how can you find number of real zeros on a graph(3 votes)
- So first you need the degree of the polynomial, or in other words the highest power a variable has. So if the leading term has an x^4 that means at most there can be 4 0s. There can be less as well, which is what multiplicity helps us determine. If a term has multiplicity more than one, it "takes away" for lack of a better term, one or more of the 0s.
So for instance (x-1)(x+1)(x-2)(x+2) will have four zeros and each binomial term has a multiplicity of 1 Now, if you make one of them have a multiplicity of 2 that takes away one of the zeroes. so (x-1)(x-1)(x+2)(x-2), here there are two (x-1) terms so it has multiplicity 2, this means there is one less zero. So now there are only three zeroes at 1, 2 and -2. ALSO if a term has an even multiplicity it means it touches the x axis rather than crosses it.
Let me know if that didn't help.(5 votes)
- Why's it called a 'linear' factor?(2 votes)
- Linear equations are degree 1 (the exponent on the variable = 1).
This same terminology is being used for the factor. It is a linear factor because it is degree = 1.
Hope this helps.(6 votes)
- What if there is a problem like (x-1)^3 (x+2)^2 will the multiplicity be the addition of 3 and 2 or the highest exponent will be the multiplicity?(3 votes)
A polynomial doesn't have a multiplicity, only its roots do. The roots of your polynomial are 1 and -2. 1 has multiplicity 3, and -2 has multiplicity 2.(4 votes)
