Question

Graph A third degree polynomial with 2 zeros

Answer 1

Answer:

For a third degree polynomial, we need 3 linear factors.

Since

5

and

2

i

are roots (zeros), we know that

x

−

5

and

x

−

2

i

are factors.

If we want a polynomial with real coeficients, then the complex conjugate of

2

i

(which is

−

2

i

) must also be a root and

x

+

2

i

must be a factor.

One polynomial with real coefficients that meets the requirements is

(

x

−

5

)

(

x

−

2

i

)

(

x

+

2

i

)

=

(

x

−

5

)

(

x

2

+

4

)

=

x

3

−

5

x

2

+

4

x

−

20

Any constant multiple of this also meets the requirements.

For example

7

(

x

3

−

5

x

2

+

4

x

−

20

)

=

7

x

3

−

35

x

2

+

28

x

−

140