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List the possible rational zeros of the function f(x) = 3x^5 + 7x^3 - 3x^2 + 2.

a) ±1, ±2
b) ±1, ±2, ±1/3, ±2/3
c) ±1, ±2, ±3
d) ±1, ±2, ±3, ±1/3

User UnLiMiTeD
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Using the Rational Root Theorem, the possible rational zeros of the function f(x) = 3x^5 + 7x^3 - 3x^2 + 2 are ±1, ±2, ±1/3, ±2/3.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the possible rational zeros of the polynomial function f(x) = 3x5 + 7x3 - 3x2 + 2, we can use the Rational Root Theorem. This theorem states that any rational zero, which is expressed in the form of p/q (where p is a factor of the constant term and q is a factor of the leading coefficient), must come from a list of possible fractions generated by taking all the factors of the constant term and dividing them by all the factors of the leading coefficient.

The constant term 2 has factors of ±1 and ±2. The leading coefficient 3 has factors of ±1 and ±3. We can create a list of all possible rational zeros by dividing each factor of the constant term (the numerator) by each factor of the leading coefficient (the denominator).

  • ±1
  • ±2
  • ±1/3
  • ±2/3

So the possible rational zeros of the function can be listed as answer choice (b): ±1, ±2, ±1/3, ±2/3.

User Vivart
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