Question

For the third degree polynomial graphed,
how many real zeros does it have?

Answer 1

• real: 1
• non-real: 2

Explanation:

You want to know the number of real zeros indicated by the graph of a 3rd-degree polynomial that crosses the x-axis in one place.

Real zeros

A real zero is the value of x where the value of y is zero. It is an x-intercept, a value of x where the graph crosses (or touches) the x-axis.

This function has 1 real zero.

Non-real zeros

Any zeros that are not real are non-real (complex). The polynomial has a number of zeros equal to its degree. Only one of them is real, so the other two zeros of this 3rd-degree polynomial are non-real, or complex.

The function has 2 non-real zeros.

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