Finding a Polynomial with Given Zeros

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 82 views

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Introduction

In algebra, a polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of variables and coefficients combined using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression. In this article, we will find a polynomial of degree 3 that has the following zeros: 0, 2, and -3. We will leave our answer in factored form.

What are Zeros in a Polynomial?

The zeros of a polynomial are the values of the variable that make the polynomial equal to zero. In other words, if we substitute a zero of a polynomial into the expression, the result will be zero. For example, if we have a polynomial f(x) = x^2 - 4, the zeros of this polynomial are 2 and -2, because f(2) = 2^2 - 4 = 0 and f(-2) = (-2)^2 - 4 = 0.

Finding a Polynomial with Given Zeros

To find a polynomial with given zeros, we can use the factored form of a polynomial. The factored form of a polynomial is a product of linear factors, where each factor corresponds to a zero of the polynomial. For example, if we have a polynomial with zeros 2 and -2, we can write it in factored form as f(x) = (x - 2)(x + 2).

Finding a Polynomial of Degree 3 with Zeros 0, 2, and -3

Now, let's find a polynomial of degree 3 with zeros 0, 2, and -3. We can start by writing the factored form of the polynomial, which is:

f(x) = (x - 0)(x - 2)(x + 3)

Simplifying the Factored Form

To simplify the factored form, we can multiply the linear factors together:

f(x) = x(x - 2)(x + 3)

Expanding the Expression

To expand the expression, we can multiply the linear factors together:

f(x) = x(x^2 + 3x - 2x - 6)

Simplifying the Expression

To simplify the expression, we can combine like terms:

f(x) = x(x^2 + x - 6)

Expanding the Expression

To expand the expression, we can multiply the linear factors together:

f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x

Conclusion

In this article, we found a polynomial of degree 3 with zeros 0, 2, and -3. We started by writing the factored form of the polynomial, and then simplified the expression by multiplying the linear factors together. The final answer is:

f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x

Example Use Case

Suppose we want to find the value of the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1. We can substitute x = 1 into the expression:

f(1) = (1)^3 + (1)^2 - 6(1)

Evaluating the Expression

To evaluate the expression, we can simplify the terms:

f(1) = 1 + 1 - 6

Simplifying the Expression

To simplify the expression, we can combine the terms:

f(1) = -4

Conclusion

In this example, we found the value of the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1. The final answer is -4.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x

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Introduction

In our previous article, we found a polynomial of degree 3 with zeros 0, 2, and -3. In this article, we will answer some common questions related to finding a polynomial with given zeros.

Q: What is the factored form of a polynomial?

A: The factored form of a polynomial is a product of linear factors, where each factor corresponds to a zero of the polynomial. For example, if we have a polynomial with zeros 2 and -2, we can write it in factored form as f(x) = (x - 2)(x + 2).

Q: How do I find a polynomial with given zeros?

A: To find a polynomial with given zeros, we can use the factored form of a polynomial. We can start by writing the factored form of the polynomial, which is a product of linear factors, where each factor corresponds to a zero of the polynomial.

Q: What is the degree of a polynomial?

A: The degree of a polynomial is the highest power of the variable in the expression. For example, if we have a polynomial f(x) = x^3 + 2x^2 - 3x + 1, the degree of the polynomial is 3.

Q: How do I simplify the factored form of a polynomial?

A: To simplify the factored form of a polynomial, we can multiply the linear factors together. For example, if we have a polynomial f(x) = (x - 2)(x + 2), we can simplify it by multiplying the linear factors together:

f(x) = x^2 - 4

Q: What is the difference between a polynomial and a rational function?

A: A polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of variables and coefficients combined using only addition, subtraction, and multiplication. A rational function, on the other hand, is a mathematical expression consisting of a polynomial divided by another polynomial.

Q: How do I find the zeros of a polynomial?

A: To find the zeros of a polynomial, we can set the polynomial equal to zero and solve for the variable. For example, if we have a polynomial f(x) = x^2 - 4, we can set it equal to zero and solve for x:

x^2 - 4 = 0

Q: What is the relationship between the zeros of a polynomial and its factored form?

A: The zeros of a polynomial are the values of the variable that make the polynomial equal to zero. The factored form of a polynomial is a product of linear factors, where each factor corresponds to a zero of the polynomial.

Q: How do I use the factored form of a polynomial to find its zeros?

A: To use the factored form of a polynomial to find its zeros, we can set each factor equal to zero and solve for the variable. For example, if we have a polynomial f(x) = (x - 2)(x + 2), we can set each factor equal to zero and solve for x:

x - 2 = 0 --> x = 2 x + 2 = 0 --> x = -2

Q: What is the final answer for the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x?

A: The final answer for the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x is:

f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x

Q: How do I evaluate the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1?

A: To evaluate the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1, we can substitute x = 1 into the expression:

f(1) = (1)^3 + (1)^2 - 6(1)

Q: What is the final answer for the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1?

A: The final answer for the polynomial f(x) = x^3 + x^2 - 6x when x = 1 is:

f(1) = -4

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some common questions related to finding a polynomial with given zeros. We also provided examples and explanations to help illustrate the concepts.