Problema Solution
show that the real zeros of the polynomial function satisfy the given conditions.
f(x)=2x^5-x^4+2x^3-2x^2+4x-4; no real zero greater than 1
Answer provided by our tutors
We will use the Rational Root Test: If a polynomial function has integer coefficients, then every rational zero will have the form p/q where p is a factor of the constant and q is a factor of the leading coefficient.
Possible rational zeros will be of the form (factor of 4) over (factor of 2).
The possible rational zeros greater than 1 are:
4/1 = 4
4/2 = 2
2/1 = 2
Lets plug the values for x into f(x)=2x^5-x^4+2x^3-2x^2+4x-4:
For x = 2
f(2) = 2*2^5-2^4+2*2^3-2*2^2+4*2-4
f(2) = 60
For x = 4
f(4) = 2*4^5-4^4+2*4^3-2*4^2+4*4-4
f(4) = 1900
Thus there is no rational zero greater than 1.