Find all rational zeros of the polynomial Enter your answers
Find all rational zeros of the polynomial. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)
P(x) = x4 8x3 + 12x2 + 32x 64
x =
Determine any irrational zeros. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there are no irrational zeros, enter NONE.)
x =
Factor the polynomial completely.
P(x) =
Solution
P(x) = x^4 8x^3 + 12x^2 + 32x 64
= (x^4 + 12x^2 64) + (-8x^3 + 32x)
let: x^2 = a
P(x) = (a^2 + 12a - 64) - 8x(x^2 - 4)
= (a + 16)(a - 4) - 8x(x^2 - 4)
= (x^2 + 16)(x^2 - 4) - 8x(x^2 - 4)
= (x^2 - 4)[x^2 - 8x + 16]
= (x^2 - 4)(x - 4)^2
= (x - 2)(x + 2)(x - 4)^2
Set P(x) = 0
x = 2, -2, 4, 4
