QuestionForm a polynomial whose zeros and degree are given.
Zeros: 3 , multiplicity 1; 1 , multiplicity 2; degree 3
Type a polynomial with integer coefficients and a leading coefficient of 1 in the box below. (Simplify your answer.)
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking?
We need to build a polynomial of degree 3, which means it has 3 roots, and we're given the location of the roots.
One root is and it occurs once, and another root is and it occurs twice.
Watch out!
Remember that the *multiplicity* of a root tells us how many times it appears.
Also, the polynomial needs to have integer coefficients and a leading coefficient of **1**.
STEP 2
1. Set up the factors
2. Expand the expression
3. Simplify and present
STEP 3
Alright, let's **start** by writing our polynomial in factored form.
Since the root has a multiplicity of **1**, the factor appears **once**.
The root has a multiplicity of **2**, so the factor appears **twice**, which we can write as .
STEP 4
Putting it all together, our initial polynomial looks like this: Remember, we're aiming for a polynomial with a leading coefficient of **1**, and this form ensures that!
STEP 5
Now, let's **expand** first.
Remember, means .
Using the FOIL method (First, Outer, Inner, Last), we get:
STEP 6
So, our polynomial becomes:
STEP 7
Now, let's **expand** the entire expression by carefully multiplying each term of with each term of : \begin{align*} f(x) &= x(x^2 - 2x + 1) - 3(x^2 - 2x + 1) \\ &= x^3 - 2x^2 + x - 3x^2 + 6x - 3\end{align*}
STEP 8
Finally, let's **combine** like terms to simplify our polynomial:
STEP 9
Our final polynomial is .
This polynomial has a degree of **3**, a leading coefficient of **1**, and integer coefficients, just like the problem asked for!
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