Section 5 – Locating Zeros of a Polynomial Function Chapter 4 Section 5 – Locating Zeros of a Polynomial Function
When the Zeros aren’t rational numbers When the zeros (or roots) of some polynomial function aren’t rational numbers, then we have to approximate where the roots are. The Location Principle states that if y=f(x) is some polynomial function with real coefficients, then if a and b are two numbers with f(a) negative and f(b) positive, the function has at least one real zero between a and b.
Determining Where Zeros Might Be EX 1: Determine between which consecutive integers the real zeros of f(x) = x3 - 4x2 – 2x + 8 are located. EX 2: Approximate the real zeros of f(x) = 12x3 - 19x2 – x + 6 to the nearest tenth. (Use graphing calculator after we identify between which integers the zeros fall)
Assignment Chapter 4, Section 5 pgs 240-241 #12-24E,25,34