Question

A cubic equation has factors of (x + 2)(x^2 + 7x + 10). Determine ALL of the real roots. Which one is a double root?

Answer 1

x = -2, -5 where -2 is a double root

Explanation:

The real roots are the solutions to the cubic equation. You find them by setting each factor equal to 0 and solving for x.

`x+2 = 0 \\x= -2`

`x^2 + 7x +10 = 0\\(x+2)(x+5) = 0\\x=-2, -5`

Since -2 appears twice, it is a double root.