Question

Find the zeros of the function g(x) = x^4 - x^3 - 2x^2

Answer 1

set equal to 0

$0=x^4-x^3-2x^2$

factor out the $x^2$

$0=(x^2)(x^2-x-2)$

what 2 numbers multiply to get -2 and add to get -1? -2 and 1

$0=(x^2)(x-2)(x+1)$

set each equal to 0

$0=x^2$

x=0

x-2=0

x=2

x+1=0

x=-1

so the zeroes of the function are at x=-1, 0, 2