If f(x) is a third degree polynomial function, how many distinct complex roots are possible?
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Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
If x - 1 is a factor of the cubic, then 1 should result in 0 when you put it in the cubic for x. Does it?
f(1) = 2(1)^3 - 15(1)^2 + 22(1) + 15
f(1) = 2 - 15 + 22 + 15
f(1)= 24.
No the result is not zero. So x - 1 is not a factor.
However there must be something that makes this cubic go to zero. The easiest way to find it is to graph it.
The numbers that do make this zero are -0.5, 3, 5
Which mean that the factors are (2x+1)(x-3)(x - 5)
