Rational Zero Theorum: How many possible rational zeros
P is the constant term or the number without exponents
Q is the leading coefficient or the number in front of the highest exponent
Example: f(x)= x^3 - 3x^2 -2x + 4
Description: the P is 4 and the Q is 1.
You divide P/Q. Factor the numbers 4 and 1 and then divide.
P (4): +or- 1,4,2
Q (1) +or- 1
Answer: +or- 1,4,2
DESCARTE'S RULE OF SIGNS:
*used to find the positive, negative and imaginary
*the number of positive zeros is equal to the number of sign changes
*the number of negative is equal to the number of sign changes when plug in opposite sign for odd exponents
Example: x^4 - 3x^3 -5x^2 + 2x +7.
There is a total of 2 sign changes therefore there two possibilities or zero. You always subtract 2 whenever you can.
The next step is to change the signs of the odd exponents. There is a possibility of two or zero.
P is the constant term or the number without exponents
Q is the leading coefficient or the number in front of the highest exponent
Example: f(x)= x^3 - 3x^2 -2x + 4
Description: the P is 4 and the Q is 1.
You divide P/Q. Factor the numbers 4 and 1 and then divide.
P (4): +or- 1,4,2
Q (1) +or- 1
Answer: +or- 1,4,2
DESCARTE'S RULE OF SIGNS:
*used to find the positive, negative and imaginary
*the number of positive zeros is equal to the number of sign changes
*the number of negative is equal to the number of sign changes when plug in opposite sign for odd exponents
Example: x^4 - 3x^3 -5x^2 + 2x +7.
There is a total of 2 sign changes therefore there two possibilities or zero. You always subtract 2 whenever you can.
The next step is to change the signs of the odd exponents. There is a possibility of two or zero.