Problema Solution

find the polynomial of degree 3 which has roots at x=1, x=1+sqt.2 and x=1-sqt.2, and whose value at x=2 is -2.

Answer provided by our tutors

let the polynomial be


p(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, and d are constants


if x1=1, x2=1+sqt.2 and x3=1-sqt.2 are the roots of p(x), then p(x) can be written in the form


p(x) = a (x - x1)(x - x2)(x - x3)


p(x) = a (x - 1)(x - 1 - sqt.2)(x - 1 + sqt.2)


p (x) = a(x-1)(x^2 - 2x + 1 - 2) = a(x-1)(x^2 - 2x - 1) = a(x^3 - 3x^2 + x + 1)


we also know that


for x = 2


p(2) = -2 that is


a(2^3 - 3*2^2 + 2 + 1) = -2


a(8 - 12 + 3) = - 2


a = - 2/ (-1)


a = 2


thus the polynomial is


p(x) = 2(x^3 - 3x^2 + x + 1)


p(x) = 2x^3 - 6x^2 + 2x + 2.