Understanding the Concept of Zeros and Multiplicity

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 72 views

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Introduction

In algebra, a polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power. The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of the variable that make the function equal to zero. In this article, we will focus on finding the zeros of the polynomial function $f(x)=2x^3-x^2-18x+9$ and determining the multiplicity of each zero.

Understanding the Concept of Zeros and Multiplicity

Before we dive into finding the zeros of the given polynomial function, let's first understand the concept of zeros and multiplicity. The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of the variable that make the function equal to zero. In other words, if $f(x)=0$ , then $x$ is a zero of the function. The multiplicity of a zero is the number of times the factor $(x-a)$ appears in the factorization of the polynomial function, where $a$ is the zero.

Factoring the Polynomial Function

To find the zeros of the polynomial function $f(x)=2x^3-x^2-18x+9$ , we need to factor the function. We can start by factoring out the greatest common factor (GCF) of the terms. In this case, the GCF is 1, so we cannot factor out any common factors.

Next, we can try to factor the polynomial function by grouping the terms. We can group the first two terms and the last two terms as follows:

$f(x) = 2x^3 - x^2 - 18x + 9$

$= (2x^3 - x^2) - (18x - 9)$

$= x^2(2x - 1) - 9(2x - 1)$

$= (2x - 1)(x^2 - 9)$

$= (2x - 1)(x - 3)(x + 3)$

Finding the Zeros of the Polynomial Function

Now that we have factored the polynomial function, we can find the zeros by setting each factor equal to zero and solving for $x$ . We have three factors: $(2x - 1)$ , $(x - 3)$ , and $(x + 3)$ . Setting each factor equal to zero, we get:

$2x - 1 = 0$

$x - 3 = 0$

$x + 3 = 0$

Solving for $x$ in each equation, we get:

$x = \frac{1}{2}$

$x = 3$

$x = -3$

Therefore, the zeros of the polynomial function $f(x)=2x^3-x^2-18x+9$ are $\frac{1}{2}, 3, -3$ .

Determining the Multiplicity of Each Zero

To determine the multiplicity of each zero, we need to look at the factorization of the polynomial function. We have factored the function as $(2x - 1)(x - 3)(x + 3)$ . Each factor corresponds to a zero, and the multiplicity of each zero is the number of times the factor appears in the factorization.

In this case, each factor appears only once, so the multiplicity of each zero is 1. Therefore, the multiplicity of each zero is 1.

Conclusion

In this article, we have found the zeros of the polynomial function $f(x)=2x^3-x^2-18x+9$ and determined the multiplicity of each zero. We have factored the function and set each factor equal to zero to find the zeros. We have also determined the multiplicity of each zero by looking at the factorization of the function. The zeros of the polynomial function are $\frac{1}{2}, 3, -3$ , and the multiplicity of each zero is 1.

Final Answer

The zeros of the polynomial function $f(x)=2x^3-x^2-18x+9$ are $\frac{1}{2}, 3, -3$ . They all have multiplicity 1.

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Q: What is a polynomial function?

A: A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form of a sum of terms, where each term is a product of a constant and a variable raised to a non-negative integer power.

Q: What are the zeros of a polynomial function?

A: The zeros of a polynomial function are the values of the variable that make the function equal to zero. In other words, if $f(x)=0$ , then $x$ is a zero of the function.

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

A: To find the zeros of a polynomial function, you need to factor the function and set each factor equal to zero. You can also use the Rational Root Theorem to find possible rational zeros of the function.

Q: What is the Rational Root Theorem?

A: The Rational Root Theorem states that if a rational number $p/q$ is a root of the polynomial function $f(x)$ , where $p$ and $q$ are integers and $q$ is non-zero, then $p$ must be a factor of the constant term of the function and $q$ must be a factor of the leading coefficient of the function.

Q: How do I determine the multiplicity of each zero?

A: To determine the multiplicity of each zero, you need to look at the factorization of the polynomial function. Each factor corresponds to a zero, and the multiplicity of each zero is the number of times the factor appears in the factorization.

Q: What is the difference between a zero and a root of a polynomial function?

A: A zero of a polynomial function is a value of the variable that makes the function equal to zero, while a root of a polynomial function is a value of the variable that makes the function equal to zero, and the function changes sign around that value.

Q: Can a polynomial function have more than one zero?

A: Yes, a polynomial function can have more than one zero. In fact, a polynomial function can have any number of zeros, including zero, one, two, or more.

Q: Can a polynomial function have complex zeros?

A: Yes, a polynomial function can have complex zeros. In fact, complex zeros are a common occurrence in polynomial functions, especially when the function has a degree greater than 2.

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

A: To find the complex zeros of a polynomial function, you need to use the quadratic formula or other methods to find the complex roots of the function.

Q: What is the significance of the zeros of a polynomial function?

A: The zeros of a polynomial function are significant because they can be used to determine the behavior of the function, including its maximum and minimum values, its intervals of increase and decrease, and its points of inflection.

Q: Can the zeros of a polynomial function be used to solve real-world problems?

A: Yes, the zeros of a polynomial function can be used to solve real-world problems, including problems in physics, engineering, economics, and other fields.

Q: How do I apply the zeros of a polynomial function to solve real-world problems?

A: To apply the zeros of a polynomial function to solve real-world problems, you need to use the zeros to determine the behavior of the function and then use that information to solve the problem.

Q: What are some common applications of the zeros of a polynomial function?

A: Some common applications of the zeros of a polynomial function include:

Modeling population growth and decline
Analyzing the behavior of electrical circuits
Determining the maximum and minimum values of a function
Finding the points of inflection of a function
Solving optimization problems

Q: Can the zeros of a polynomial function be used to solve optimization problems?

A: Yes, the zeros of a polynomial function can be used to solve optimization problems. In fact, the zeros of a polynomial function can be used to determine the maximum and minimum values of the function, which is a key step in solving optimization problems.

Q: How do I use the zeros of a polynomial function to solve optimization problems?

A: To use the zeros of a polynomial function to solve optimization problems, you need to use the zeros to determine the maximum and minimum values of the function and then use that information to solve the optimization problem.

Q: What are some common optimization problems that can be solved using the zeros of a polynomial function?

A: Some common optimization problems that can be solved using the zeros of a polynomial function include:

Finding the maximum and minimum values of a function
Determining the points of inflection of a function
Solving linear programming problems
Solving quadratic programming problems
Solving nonlinear programming problems