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In the given graph of a cubic polynomial, what are the number of real zeros and complex zeros, respectively?

In the given graph of a cubic polynomial, what are the number of real zeros and complex-example-1
User Simshaun
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Answer: 1 real and 2 complex.

Explanation:

A cubic polynomial is written as:

a*x^3 + b*x^2 + c*x + d

And the zeros are such that:

a*x^3 + b*x^2 + c*x + d = 0

As the degree of the polynomial is 3, then we have 3 solutions (where some of them may be equal)

Now, an easy way to see the real and complex zeros of a polynomial is:

If after a change in curvature, the line touches the x-axis : that is a real zero

if it does not, then there we have a complex zero.

Here we can see two lines that do not touch the x-axis and one line that does touch the x-axis.

Then we have 2 complex zeros and one real zero.

User Martin Varta
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