Question

Find algebraically the zeros for p(x)=x^3+x^2-4x-4

Answer 1

One zero is - 1
because p(-1) = (-1)^3 + (-1)^2 -4(-1)- 4 = 0
So one factor of p(x) is x + 1
Dividing p(x) by x + 1 gives the quotient
x^2 - 4
x - 2)(x + 2) = 0

x = 2, -2


The zeroes are -2,-1 and 2