Questions: A polynomial P is given.
P(x)=x^4+64 x^2
(a) Find all zeros of P, real and complex.
x=
Transcript text: A polynomial $P$ is given.
\[
P(x)=x^{4}+64 x^{2}
\]
(a) Find all zeros of $P$, real and complex.
\[
x=\square
\]
Solution
Solution Steps
To find the zeros of the polynomial \( P(x) = x^4 + 64x^2 \), we can factor the polynomial and solve for \( x \). First, factor out the common term \( x^2 \), then solve the resulting quadratic equation.
Step 1: Factor the Polynomial
The polynomial \( P(x) = x^4 + 64x^2 \) can be factored as follows:
\[
P(x) = x^2(x^2 + 64)
\]
Step 2: Solve for Zeros
To find the zeros of \( P(x) \), we set the factored form equal to zero:
\[
x^2(x^2 + 64) = 0
\]
This gives us two equations to solve:
\( x^2 = 0 \)
\( x^2 + 64 = 0 \)
Step 3: Find Real and Complex Solutions
From the first equation \( x^2 = 0 \), we find:
\[
x = 0
\]
From the second equation \( x^2 + 64 = 0 \), we solve for \( x \):
\[
x^2 = -64 \implies x = \pm 8i
\]
Final Answer
The zeros of the polynomial \( P(x) \) are:
\[
\boxed{0, -8i, 8i}
\]