Question

COSO ---

(3-
O Example: Find the a
a) u =<4,3% and v= <2,5)
calculator
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9/15V29)
35. Determine the values of x that cause the polynomial function to be zero, positive, and negative:
f(x) = (x-7)(3x + 4)(x + 4).​

Answer 1

• zero: -4, -4/3, 7

• positive: -4 < x < -4/3 . . . or 7 < x

• negative: x < -4 . . . or -4/3 < x < 7

Explanation:

Zeros of the function are at x=-4, -4/3, +7. These are the values that make each of the individual factors be zero. For example, x-7=0 when x=7.

The function will be negative for x-values left of an odd number of zeros. It will be positive for x-values left of an even number of zeros (including left of no zeros, which is to say right of all zeros). This is because the sign of the factor giving rise to the zero changes for x-values on either side of that zero. (This is not true for zeros with even multiplicity, as the sign does not change at those.)