Question

Identify the zeros of the polynomial function N(x)=1/2 (x-1)(x+3).

a:x+-3
b:x=-1
c:x=1
d:x=3

Answer 1

a:x=-3

c:x=1

Explanation:

The zeros of a function are the values of x for which the value of the function f(x) becomes zero.

In this problem, we have the following function:

`f(x)=(1)/(2)(x-1)(x+3)`

Here we want to find the zeros of the function, i.e. the values of x for which

`f(x)=0`

In order to make f(x) equal to zero, either one of the factors
`(x-1)` or
`(x+3)` must be equal to zero.

Therefore, the two zeros can be found by requiring that:

1)

`x-1=0\\\rightarrow x=+1`

2)

`x+3=0\\\rightarrow x=-3`

So the correct options are

a:x=-3

c:x=1