ExampleFactorisex 3 + 3x 2 – 10x - 24 We need some trial & error with factors of –24 ie +/-1, +/-2, +/-3 etc f(-1) = No good f(1) = No good
f(-2) = f(-2) = 0 so (x + 2) a factor Other factor is x 2 + x - 12= (x + 4)(x – 3) So x 3 + 3x 2 – 10x – 24 = (x + 4)(x + 2)(x – 3) Roots/Zeros The roots or zeros of a polynomial tell us where it cuts the X-axis. ie where f(x) = 0. If a cubic polynomial has zeros a, b & c then it has factors (x – a), (x – b) and (x – c).
ExampleSolvex 4 + 2x 3 - 8x 2 – 18x – 9 = 0 We need some trial & error with factors of –9 ie +/-1, +/-3 etc f(-1) = f(-1) = 0 so (x + 1) a factor Other factor is x 3 + x 2 – 9x - 9 which we can call g(x) test +/-1, +/-3 etc
g(-1) = g(-1) = 0 so (x + 1) a factor Other factor is x 2 – 9= (x + 3)(x – 3) if x 4 + 2x 3 - 8x 2 – 18x – 9 = 0 then (x + 3)(x + 1)(x + 1)(x – 3) = 0 So x = -3 or x = -1 or x = 3
Breakdowns A cubic polynomialie ax 3 + bx 2 + cx + d could be factorised into either (i) Three linear factors of the form (x + a) or (ax + b) or (ii) A linear factor of the form (x + a) or (ax + b) and a. quadratic factor (ax 2 + bx + c) which doesn’t factorise. or (iii) It may be irreducible. IT DIZNAE FACTORISE