Questions: f(x)=3x^4-2x^3+74x^2-50x-25 a) Find the rational zeros of f(x), and then the other zeros. b) Factor f(x) into linear factors.

f(x)=3x^4-2x^3+74x^2-50x-25
a) Find the rational zeros of f(x), and then the other zeros.
b) Factor f(x) into linear factors.
Transcript text: \[ f(x)=3 x^{4}-2 x^{3}+74 x^{2}-50 x-25 \] a) Find the rational zeros of $f(x)$, and then the other zeros. b) Factor $f(x)$ into linear factors.
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify Possible Rational Zeros Using the Rational Root Theorem

The Rational Root Theorem states that any rational root of the polynomial \( f(x) = 3x^4 - 2x^3 + 74x^2 - 50x - 25 \) must be a factor of the constant term divided by a factor of the leading coefficient.

  • Constant term: \(-25\)
  • Leading coefficient: \(3\)

Possible rational zeros are: \[ \pm 1, \pm 5, \pm 25, \pm \frac{1}{3}, \pm \frac{5}{3}, \pm \frac{25}{3} \]

Step 2: Test Possible Rational Zeros

We will use synthetic division to test these possible rational zeros.

Testing \( x = 1 \):

\[ \begin{array}{r|rrrrr} 1 & 3 & -2 & 74 & -50 & -25 \\ & & 3 & 1 & 75 & 25 \\ \hline & 3 & 1 & 75 & 25 & 0 \\ \end{array} \] Since the remainder is \(0\), \(x = 1\) is a root.

Step 3: Factor Out \( (x - 1) \)

Using synthetic division, we factor \( f(x) \) by \( (x - 1) \): \[ f(x) = (x - 1)(3x^3 + x^2 + 75x + 25) \]

Step 4: Find Rational Zeros of the Cubic Polynomial

Now, we need to find the rational zeros of \( 3x^3 + x^2 + 75x + 25 \).

Possible rational zeros are: \[ \pm 1, \pm 5, \pm 25, \pm \frac{1}{3}, \pm \frac{5}{3}, \pm \frac{25}{3} \]

Testing \( x = -1 \):

\[ \begin{array}{r|rrrr} -1 & 3 & 1 & 75 & 25 \\ & & -3 & 2 & -77 \\ \hline & 3 & -2 & 77 & -52 \\ \end{array} \] The remainder is not \(0\), so \( x = -1 \) is not a root.

Testing \( x = -5 \):

\[ \begin{array}{r|rrrr} -5 & 3 & 1 & 75 & 25 \\ & & -15 & 70 & -725 \\ \hline & 3 & -14 & 145 & -700 \\ \end{array} \] The remainder is not \(0\), so \( x = -5 \) is not a root.

Testing \( x = -\frac{1}{3} \):

\[ \begin{array}{r|rrrr} -\frac{1}{3} & 3 & 1 & 75 & 25 \\ & & -1 & \frac{2}{3} & -25 \\ \hline & 3 & 0 & 75 & 0 \\ \end{array} \] Since the remainder is \(0\), \( x = -\frac{1}{3} \) is a root.

Step 5: Factor Out \( (3x + 1) \)

Using synthetic division, we factor \( 3x^3 + x^2 + 75x + 25 \) by \( (3x + 1) \): \[ 3x^3 + x^2 + 75x + 25 = (3x + 1)(x^2 + 25) \]

Step 6: Factor the Quadratic Polynomial

The quadratic polynomial \( x^2 + 25 \) can be factored as: \[ x^2 + 25 = (x + 5i)(x - 5i) \]

Final Answer

a) Rational Zeros

\[ \boxed{x = 1, x = -\frac{1}{3}} \]

b) Factor \( f(x) \) into Linear Factors

\[ \boxed{f(x) = (x - 1)(3x + 1)(x + 5i)(x - 5i)} \]

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