Answer:
x= 1, x= 4, and x= -3
Step-by-step explanation:
Use the possible combinations of factors of the constant term of the polynomial to find a first root. Try 1, -1, 2, -2, 3, -3, etc.
Notice in particular that x = 1 is a root (makes f(1) = 0):
So we know that x=1 is a root, and therefore, the binomial (x-1) must divide the original polynomial exactly.
As we perform the division, we find that the remainder of it is zero (perfect division) and the quotient is:
This is now a quadratic expression for which we can find its factor form:
From the factors we just found, we conclude that x intercepts (zeroes) of the original polynomial are those x-values for which each of the factors: (x-1), (x-4) and (x+3) give zero. That is, the values x= 1, x= 4, and x= -3. (these are the roots of the polynomial.
Mark these values on the number line as requested.