P.O.D.

Solve the
equation given
that -3 is a
root.
x +5x -29x-
3 2

105=0
8.6 Some Useful
Theorems
To help solve
or find
polynomial
 THEOREM
#1:
Every Polynomial
equation with
positive degree n
has exactly n roots.
 Ex. Theorem #1:
 x3+4x2+4x=0 has 3
roots: {0, -2, -2}
 x5-16x=0 has 5
roots: {0,2,-2,2i,-2i}
CONJUGATE
ROOT THEOREM:
If a polynomial
equation with real
coeffs. has a + bi as
a root, then a – bi is
also a root.
Ex.
Since it’s
Find a cubic a cubic
thenwith
equation it’s of
degree
integral 3 withthat
coeffs. 3
has 2 androots!
3-i as
roots. 3 2
− 2)[ xx− −(38−xi )][
( x Ans. x − ( 3 + i
+ 22 x − 20 = 0)] = 0
Ex.
Since
Find a cubic
Since 3-i it’s
is a a cubic
root,
then then
equation
3+i must it’sbe
with of a
degree
integral
root 3 withthat
coeffs.
(Conjugate 3
hasRoot
2 and roots!
3-i as
Thm.)
roots. 3 2
− 2)[ xx− −(38−xi )][
( x Ans. x − ( 3 + i
+ 22 x − 20 = 0)] = 0
Ex.
Now
Find a cubic just
multiply
equation with out!!
integral coeffs. that
has 2 and 3-i as
x − 2)[ x − (3 − i )][ x − (3 + i )] = 0
(roots.
Ans. x − 8 x + 22 x − 20 = 0
3 2
POD
Find a 4 degree
th

polynomial eq. With

integral coeffs. that
has roots 2i, 1-i
( x − 2i )( x + 2i )[ x − (1 − i )]
[ x − (1 + i )] = 0
Ans. x − 2 x + 6 x − 8 x + 8 = 0
4 3 2
# of Variations- the
# of sign changes
from one term to the
next...x -3x +4x-5
3 2

3 variations
Solving 3
rd

or 4 degree
th

Eqs given
imaginary
Steps:
2) Usingthe Conjugate
Root Theorem,
multiply the factors
of these roots to
form a quadratic
equation
Steps (cont.):
nDivide original eq. by
eq. from step1 to find a
depressed Quadratic
or Linear Eq.
nSolve the Quadratic
or Linear eq for the
remaining roots
Descartes’ Rule
of Signs:
1. The # of positive real
roots of a given
equation is either equal
to the # of variations or
is 2 less than the # of
variations.
Descartes’ Rule
of Signs:
2. When x is replaced by
–x, the # of negative
real roots of a given
equation is either equal
to the # of variations or
is 2 less than the # of
variations.
Ex.
List the possibilities
for the nature of the
roots of x +3x -4=0
4 2
Ex.
List the possibilities
for the nature of the
roots of x +3x -4=0
4 2
x +3x -4=0
4 2

1 Variation1
positive
Real +3(-x)
(-x) 4 Root -4=0
2

x +3x -4=0
4 2

1 Variation1
x +3x -4=0
4 2
Since it’s a 4 th
degree equation
then the other 2
roots must be
imaginary
Total Possible
Roots: 1 positive