Question

Determine the total number of roots of each polynomial function using the factored form.

f (x) = (x + 5)^3(x - 9)(x + 1)

Answer 1

5

Explanation:

When the factors are linear, as here, the total number of roots is the sum of the exponents of the factors:

3 + 1 + 1 = 5 . . . . sum of factor exponents

f(x) has 5 roots.