Questions: Find the zeros of the function algebraically.
f(x)=3 x^2-x+3
The zeros are (Simplify your answer. Type an exact answer, using radicals and i as needed. Use integers or fractions for an
Transcript text: Find the zeros of the function algebraically.
\[
f(x)=3 x^{2}-x+3
\]
The zeros are $\square$ (Simplify your answer. Type an exact answer, using radicals and $i$ as needed. Use integers or fractions for an
Solution
Solution Steps
To find the zeros of the function \( f(x) = 3x^2 - x + 3 \), we need to solve the quadratic equation \( 3x^2 - x + 3 = 0 \). This can be done using the quadratic formula \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \), where \( a = 3 \), \( b = -1 \), and \( c = 3 \). We will calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \) to determine the nature of the roots and then apply the formula to find the exact zeros.
Step 1: Identify the Quadratic Equation
We start with the quadratic function given by
\[
f(x) = 3x^2 - x + 3.
\]
To find the zeros of this function, we set it equal to zero:
\[
3x^2 - x + 3 = 0.
\]
Step 2: Calculate the Discriminant
Using the coefficients \( a = 3 \), \( b = -1 \), and \( c = 3 \), we calculate the discriminant \( D \) using the formula:
\[
D = b^2 - 4ac.
\]
Substituting the values, we find:
\[
D = (-1)^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 = 1 - 36 = -35.
\]
Step 3: Determine the Nature of the Roots
Since the discriminant \( D = -35 \) is negative, this indicates that the quadratic equation has two complex conjugate roots.
Step 4: Apply the Quadratic Formula
We use the quadratic formula to find the roots:
\[
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{D}}{2a}.
\]
Substituting the values, we have:
\[
x = \frac{-(-1) \pm \sqrt{-35}}{2 \cdot 3} = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{35}i}{6}.
\]
This simplifies to:
\[
x_1 = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{\sqrt{35}}{6}i,
\]
\[
x_2 = \frac{1}{6} - \frac{\sqrt{35}}{6}i.
\]
Final Answer
The zeros of the function are
\[
\boxed{x_1 = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{\sqrt{35}}{6}i, \quad x_2 = \frac{1}{6} - \frac{\sqrt{35}}{6}i}.
\]