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Using the intermediate value theorem

Show that the function f ( x ) = x 3 5 x 2 + 3 x + 6 has at least two real zeros between x = 1 and x = 4.

As a start, evaluate f ( x ) at the integer values x = 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4. See [link] .

x 1 2 3 4
f ( x ) 5 0 –3 2

We see that one zero occurs at x = 2. Also, since f ( 3 ) is negative and f ( 4 ) is positive, by the Intermediate Value Theorem, there must be at least one real zero between 3 and 4.

We have shown that there are at least two real zeros between x = 1 and x = 4.

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Show that the function f ( x ) = 7 x 5 9 x 4 x 2 has at least one real zero between x = 1 and x = 2.

Because f is a polynomial function and since f ( 1 ) is negative and f ( 2 ) is positive, there is at least one real zero between x = 1 and x = 2.

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Writing formulas for polynomial functions

Now that we know how to find zeros of polynomial functions, we can use them to write formulas based on graphs. Because a polynomial function    written in factored form will have an x -intercept where each factor is equal to zero, we can form a function that will pass through a set of x -intercepts by introducing a corresponding set of factors.

Factored form of polynomials

If a polynomial of lowest degree p has horizontal intercepts at x = x 1 , x 2 , , x n , then the polynomial can be written in the factored form: f ( x ) = a ( x x 1 ) p 1 ( x x 2 ) p 2 ( x x n ) p n where the powers p i on each factor can be determined by the behavior of the graph at the corresponding intercept, and the stretch factor a can be determined given a value of the function other than the x -intercept.

Given a graph of a polynomial function, write a formula for the function.

  1. Identify the x -intercepts of the graph to find the factors of the polynomial.
  2. Examine the behavior of the graph at the x -intercepts to determine the multiplicity of each factor.
  3. Find the polynomial of least degree containing all the factors found in the previous step.
  4. Use any other point on the graph (the y -intercept may be easiest) to determine the stretch factor.

Writing a formula for a polynomial function from the graph

Write a formula for the polynomial function shown in [link] .

Graph of a positive even-degree polynomial with zeros at x=-3, 2, 5 and y=-2.

This graph has three x -intercepts: x = −3 , 2 , and 5. The y -intercept is located at ( 0 , 2 ) . At x = −3 and x = 5 , the graph passes through the axis linearly, suggesting the corresponding factors of the polynomial will be linear. At x = 2 , the graph bounces at the intercept, suggesting the corresponding factor of the polynomial will be second degree (quadratic). Together, this gives us

f ( x ) = a ( x + 3 ) ( x 2 ) 2 ( x 5 )

To determine the stretch factor, we utilize another point on the graph. We will use the y - intercept ( 0 , 2 ) , to solve for a .

f ( 0 ) = a ( 0 + 3 ) ( 0 2 ) 2 ( 0 5 ) −2 = a ( 0 + 3 ) ( 0 2 ) 2 ( 0 5 ) −2 = 60 a a = 1 30

The graphed polynomial appears to represent the function f ( x ) = 1 30 ( x + 3 ) ( x 2 ) 2 ( x 5 ) .

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Given the graph shown in [link] , write a formula for the function shown.

Graph of a negative even-degree polynomial with zeros at x=-1, 2, 4 and y=-4.

f ( x ) = 1 8 ( x 2 ) 3 ( x + 1 ) 2 ( x 4 )

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Using local and global extrema

With quadratics, we were able to algebraically find the maximum or minimum value of the function by finding the vertex. For general polynomials, finding these turning points is not possible without more advanced techniques from calculus. Even then, finding where extrema occur can still be algebraically challenging. For now, we will estimate the locations of turning points using technology to generate a graph.

Questions & Answers

Ayele, K., 2003. Introductory Economics, 3rd ed., Addis Ababa.
Widad Reply
can you send the book attached ?
Ariel
?
Ariel
What is economics
Widad Reply
the study of how humans make choices under conditions of scarcity
AI-Robot
U(x,y) = (x×y)1/2 find mu of x for y
Desalegn Reply
U(x,y) = (x×y)1/2 find mu of x for y
Desalegn
what is ecnomics
Jan Reply
this is the study of how the society manages it's scarce resources
Belonwu
what is macroeconomic
John Reply
macroeconomic is the branch of economics which studies actions, scale, activities and behaviour of the aggregate economy as a whole.
husaini
etc
husaini
difference between firm and industry
husaini Reply
what's the difference between a firm and an industry
Abdul
firm is the unit which transform inputs to output where as industry contain combination of firms with similar production 😅😅
Abdulraufu
Suppose the demand function that a firm faces shifted from Qd  120 3P to Qd  90  3P and the supply function has shifted from QS  20  2P to QS 10  2P . a) Find the effect of this change on price and quantity. b) Which of the changes in demand and supply is higher?
Toofiq Reply
explain standard reason why economic is a science
innocent Reply
factors influencing supply
Petrus Reply
what is economic.
Milan Reply
scares means__________________ends resources. unlimited
Jan
economics is a science that studies human behaviour as a relationship b/w ends and scares means which have alternative uses
Jan
calculate the profit maximizing for demand and supply
Zarshad Reply
Why qualify 28 supplies
Milan
what are explicit costs
Nomsa Reply
out-of-pocket costs for a firm, for example, payments for wages and salaries, rent, or materials
AI-Robot
concepts of supply in microeconomics
David Reply
economic overview notes
Amahle Reply
identify a demand and a supply curve
Salome Reply
i don't know
Parul
there's a difference
Aryan
Demand curve shows that how supply and others conditions affect on demand of a particular thing and what percent demand increase whith increase of supply of goods
Israr
Hi Sir please how do u calculate Cross elastic demand and income elastic demand?
Abari
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Source:  OpenStax, College algebra. OpenStax CNX. Feb 06, 2015 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11759/1.3
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