Roots & Zeros of Polynomials How the roots, solutions, zeros,  x -intercepts and factors of a polynomial function are related. Created by:- NANDEESH LAXETTI AND VEDANT PARIKH
Polynomials A  Polynomial Expression  can be a monomial or a sum of monomials.  The Polynomial Expressions that we are discussing today are in terms of one variable.  In a  Polynomial Equation , two polynomials are set equal to each other.
Factoring Polynomials Terms are  Factors  of a Polynomial if, when they are multiplied, they equal that polynomial: ( x  - 3)  and  ( x  + 5)  are  Factors  of the polynomial
Since Factors are a Product... … and the only way a  product  can equal zero is if one or more of the factors are zero… … then the only way the  polynomial  can equal zero is if one or more of the factors are zero.
Solving a Polynomial Equation The only way that  x 2  +2 x  - 15 can = 0 is if  x  = -5 or  x  = 3 Rearrange the terms to have zero on one side:  Factor:  Set each factor equal to zero and solve:
Setting the  Factors  of a  Polynomial Expression  equal to zero gives the  Solutions  to the  Equation  when the polynomial expression equals zero.  Another name for the Solutions of a Polynomial is the  Roots  of a  Polynomial ! Solutions/Roots a Polynomial
Zeros of a Polynomial Function A  Polynomial Function  is usually written in function notation or in terms of  x  and  y . The  Zeros  of a  Polynomial Function  are the  solutions  to the equation you get when you set the polynomial equal to zero.
Zeros of a Polynomial Function The  Zeros  of a  Polynomial   Function  ARE the  Solutions  to the  Polynomial   Equation  when the polynomial equals zero.
Graph of a Polynomial Function Here is the graph of our polynomial function: The  Zeros  of the Polynomial are the values of  x  when the polynomial equals zero.  In other words, the  Zeros  are the  x -values where  y equals zero .
x -Intercepts of a Polynomial The points where y = 0 are called the  x -intercepts  of the graph. The  x -intercepts  for our graph are the points... and (-5, 0) (3, 0)
x -Intercepts of a Polynomial When the  Factors  of a  Polynomial Expression  are set equal to zero, we get the  Solutions  or  Roots  of the  Polynomial Equation . The  Solutions/Roots  of the  Polynomial Equation  are the  x -coordinates for the  x-Intercepts  of the  Polynomial Graph !
Factors, Roots, Zeros For our  Polynomial Function : The  Factors  are: ( x  + 5) & ( x  - 3) The  Roots/Solutions  are: x  = -5 and 3 The  Zeros  are at: (-5, 0) and (3, 0)
Roots & Zeros of Polynomials II Finding the Roots/Zeros of Polynomials: The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Descartes’ Rule of Signs, The Complex Conjugate Theorem Created by K. Chiodo, HCPS
Fundamental Thm. Of Algebra Every Polynomial Equation with a degree higher than zero has at least one root in the set of  Complex Numbers . A Polynomial Equation of the form P(x) = 0 of degree ‘n’ with complex coefficients has exactly ‘n’ Roots in the set of Complex Numbers. COROLLARY :
Real/Imaginary Roots If a polynomial has ‘n’ complex roots will its graph have ‘n’ x-intercepts? In this example, the degree  n  =  3 , and if we factor the polynomial, the roots are  x  = -2, 0, 2.  We can also see from the graph that there are  3   x -intercepts.
Real/Imaginary Roots Just because a polynomial has ‘n’ complex roots doesn’t mean that they are all Real! In this example, however, the degree is still  n  =  3 , but there is only  one   Real   x -intercept or root at  x  = -1, the other  2  roots must have  imaginary  components.
Descartes’ Rule of Signs Arrange the terms of the polynomial  P(x)  in descending degree: The number of times the coefficients of the terms of  P(x)  change sign = the number of  Positive Real Roots  (or less by any even number)   The number of times the coefficients of the terms of  P(-x)  change sign = the number of  Negative Real Roots  (or less by any even number)   In the examples that follow, use Descartes’ Rule of Signs to predict the number of + and - Real Roots!
Find Roots/Zeros of a Polynomial We can find the Roots or Zeros of a polynomial by setting the polynomial equal to 0 and factoring.   Some are easier to factor than others! The roots are:  0, -2, 2
Find Roots/Zeros of a Polynomial If we cannot factor the polynomial, but know  one  of the roots, we can divide that factor into the polynomial.  The resulting polynomial has a lower degree and might be easier to factor or solve with the quadratic formula. We can solve the resulting polynomial to get the other 2 roots:  (x - 5) is a factor
Complex Conjugates Theorem Roots/Zeros that are not  Real  are  Complex  with an  Imaginary  component.  Complex roots with Imaginary components always exist in  Conjugate Pairs . If  a + bi   ( b  ≠ 0) is a zero of a polynomial function, then its  Conjugate ,  a - bi,  is also a zero of the function.
Find Roots/Zeros of a Polynomial If the known root is  imaginary , we can use the  Complex Conjugates Thm.   Because of the Complex Conjugate Thm., we know that  another  root must be  4 + i . Can the third root also be imaginary?  Consider… Descartes:  # of Pos. Real Roots = 2 or 0 Descartes:  # of Neg. Real Roots = 1 Ex:  Find all the roots of If one root is  4 - i .
Example (con’t) If one root is  4 - i , then one factor is  [x -  ( 4 - i)],  and  Another root is  4 + i , & another factor is  [x -  ( 4 + i)]. Multiply these factors : Ex:  Find all the roots of If one root is  4 - i .
Example (con’t) The third root is x = -3 Ex:  Find all the roots of If one root is  4 - i . If the product of the two non-real factors is then the third factor (that gives us the neg. real root) is the quotient of  P(x)  divided by  :
Finding Roots/Zeros of Polynomials We use the Fundamental Thm. Of Algebra, Descartes’ Rule of Signs and the Complex Conjugate Thm. to predict the nature of the roots of a polynomial. We use skills such as factoring, polynomial division and the quadratic formula to find the zeros/roots of polynomials. In  future  lessons you will learn other rules and theorems to predict the  values  of roots so you can solve higher degree polynomials!

Zeroes and roots

  • 1.
    Roots & Zerosof Polynomials How the roots, solutions, zeros, x -intercepts and factors of a polynomial function are related. Created by:- NANDEESH LAXETTI AND VEDANT PARIKH
  • 2.
    Polynomials A Polynomial Expression can be a monomial or a sum of monomials. The Polynomial Expressions that we are discussing today are in terms of one variable. In a Polynomial Equation , two polynomials are set equal to each other.
  • 3.
    Factoring Polynomials Termsare Factors of a Polynomial if, when they are multiplied, they equal that polynomial: ( x - 3) and ( x + 5) are Factors of the polynomial
  • 4.
    Since Factors area Product... … and the only way a product can equal zero is if one or more of the factors are zero… … then the only way the polynomial can equal zero is if one or more of the factors are zero.
  • 5.
    Solving a PolynomialEquation The only way that x 2 +2 x - 15 can = 0 is if x = -5 or x = 3 Rearrange the terms to have zero on one side: Factor: Set each factor equal to zero and solve:
  • 6.
    Setting the Factors of a Polynomial Expression equal to zero gives the Solutions to the Equation when the polynomial expression equals zero. Another name for the Solutions of a Polynomial is the Roots of a Polynomial ! Solutions/Roots a Polynomial
  • 7.
    Zeros of aPolynomial Function A Polynomial Function is usually written in function notation or in terms of x and y . The Zeros of a Polynomial Function are the solutions to the equation you get when you set the polynomial equal to zero.
  • 8.
    Zeros of aPolynomial Function The Zeros of a Polynomial Function ARE the Solutions to the Polynomial Equation when the polynomial equals zero.
  • 9.
    Graph of aPolynomial Function Here is the graph of our polynomial function: The Zeros of the Polynomial are the values of x when the polynomial equals zero. In other words, the Zeros are the x -values where y equals zero .
  • 10.
    x -Intercepts ofa Polynomial The points where y = 0 are called the x -intercepts of the graph. The x -intercepts for our graph are the points... and (-5, 0) (3, 0)
  • 11.
    x -Intercepts ofa Polynomial When the Factors of a Polynomial Expression are set equal to zero, we get the Solutions or Roots of the Polynomial Equation . The Solutions/Roots of the Polynomial Equation are the x -coordinates for the x-Intercepts of the Polynomial Graph !
  • 12.
    Factors, Roots, ZerosFor our Polynomial Function : The Factors are: ( x + 5) & ( x - 3) The Roots/Solutions are: x = -5 and 3 The Zeros are at: (-5, 0) and (3, 0)
  • 13.
    Roots & Zerosof Polynomials II Finding the Roots/Zeros of Polynomials: The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, Descartes’ Rule of Signs, The Complex Conjugate Theorem Created by K. Chiodo, HCPS
  • 14.
    Fundamental Thm. OfAlgebra Every Polynomial Equation with a degree higher than zero has at least one root in the set of Complex Numbers . A Polynomial Equation of the form P(x) = 0 of degree ‘n’ with complex coefficients has exactly ‘n’ Roots in the set of Complex Numbers. COROLLARY :
  • 15.
    Real/Imaginary Roots Ifa polynomial has ‘n’ complex roots will its graph have ‘n’ x-intercepts? In this example, the degree n = 3 , and if we factor the polynomial, the roots are x = -2, 0, 2. We can also see from the graph that there are 3 x -intercepts.
  • 16.
    Real/Imaginary Roots Justbecause a polynomial has ‘n’ complex roots doesn’t mean that they are all Real! In this example, however, the degree is still n = 3 , but there is only one Real x -intercept or root at x = -1, the other 2 roots must have imaginary components.
  • 17.
    Descartes’ Rule ofSigns Arrange the terms of the polynomial P(x) in descending degree: The number of times the coefficients of the terms of P(x) change sign = the number of Positive Real Roots (or less by any even number) The number of times the coefficients of the terms of P(-x) change sign = the number of Negative Real Roots (or less by any even number) In the examples that follow, use Descartes’ Rule of Signs to predict the number of + and - Real Roots!
  • 18.
    Find Roots/Zeros ofa Polynomial We can find the Roots or Zeros of a polynomial by setting the polynomial equal to 0 and factoring. Some are easier to factor than others! The roots are: 0, -2, 2
  • 19.
    Find Roots/Zeros ofa Polynomial If we cannot factor the polynomial, but know one of the roots, we can divide that factor into the polynomial. The resulting polynomial has a lower degree and might be easier to factor or solve with the quadratic formula. We can solve the resulting polynomial to get the other 2 roots: (x - 5) is a factor
  • 20.
    Complex Conjugates TheoremRoots/Zeros that are not Real are Complex with an Imaginary component. Complex roots with Imaginary components always exist in Conjugate Pairs . If a + bi ( b ≠ 0) is a zero of a polynomial function, then its Conjugate , a - bi, is also a zero of the function.
  • 21.
    Find Roots/Zeros ofa Polynomial If the known root is imaginary , we can use the Complex Conjugates Thm. Because of the Complex Conjugate Thm., we know that another root must be 4 + i . Can the third root also be imaginary? Consider… Descartes: # of Pos. Real Roots = 2 or 0 Descartes: # of Neg. Real Roots = 1 Ex: Find all the roots of If one root is 4 - i .
  • 22.
    Example (con’t) Ifone root is 4 - i , then one factor is [x - ( 4 - i)], and Another root is 4 + i , & another factor is [x - ( 4 + i)]. Multiply these factors : Ex: Find all the roots of If one root is 4 - i .
  • 23.
    Example (con’t) Thethird root is x = -3 Ex: Find all the roots of If one root is 4 - i . If the product of the two non-real factors is then the third factor (that gives us the neg. real root) is the quotient of P(x) divided by :
  • 24.
    Finding Roots/Zeros ofPolynomials We use the Fundamental Thm. Of Algebra, Descartes’ Rule of Signs and the Complex Conjugate Thm. to predict the nature of the roots of a polynomial. We use skills such as factoring, polynomial division and the quadratic formula to find the zeros/roots of polynomials. In future lessons you will learn other rules and theorems to predict the values of roots so you can solve higher degree polynomials!