Question

Form a polynomial function(x) with zeros: -2, multiplicity 1; 1, multiplicity 2; 5, multiplicity 3; and degree 6. Use 1 as the leading coefficient and leave the function in factored form.

Answer 1

Remember, a number a is a zero of the polynomial p(x) if p(a)=0. And a has multiplicity n if the factor (x-a) appear n times in the factorization of p(x).

1. Since -2 is a zero with multiplicity 1, then (x+2) is a factor of the polynomial.

2. Since 1 is a zero with multiplicity 2, then (x-1) is a factor of the polynomial and appear 2 times.

3. Since 5 is a zero with multiplicity 3, then (x-5) is a factor of the polynomial and appear 3 times.

Then, the polynomial function with the zeros described above is

`p(x)=(x+2)(x-1)^2(x-5)^3= x^6-15x^5+72x^4-78x^3-255x^2+525x-250`