Final answer:
The function has at least one real zero between a = 9 and b = -1
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the function f(x) = x³ + 4x² - 5x - 4 and its real zeros between a = 9 and b = -1. To determine if there is at least one real zero between a and b, we can use the intermediate value theorem. First, evaluate f(a) and f(b). For a = 9, f(a) = 9³ + 4(9)² - 5(9) - 4 = 775. For b = -1, f(b) = (-1)³ + 4(-1)² - 5(-1) - 4 = -3.
Since f(a) = 775 and f(b) = -3 have opposite signs, we can conclude that by the intermediate value theorem, the function f(x) has at least one real zero between a = 9 and b = -1.