Assignment 32

course Mth 158

If your solution to stated problem does not match the given solution, you should self-critique per instructions at http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/geninfo/labrynth_created_fall_05/levl1_22/levl2_81/file3_259.htm.

Your solution, attempt at solution:

If you are unable to attempt a solution, give a phrase-by-phrase interpretation of the problem along with a statement of what you do or do not understand about it. This response should be given, based on the work you did in completing the assignment, before you look at the given solution.

032. * 32

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Question: * 5.1.20 / 7th edition 4.2.20 (was 4.2.10). If f(x)= (x^2-5) / x^3 a polynomial?

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Your solution:

Not a polynomial ( has division)

confidence rating:

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Given Solution:

* * This is not a polynomial function. It is the ratio of two polynomials, the ratio of x^2 - 5 to x^3.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Self-critique Rating:

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Question: * 5.1.20 / 7th edition 4.2.40 (was 4.2.30). If a polynomial has zeros at x = -4, 0, 2 the what is its minimum possible degree, and what form will the polynomial have?

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Your solution:

f(x)=a(x+4)(x-0)(x-2)

confidence rating:

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Given Solution:

* * The factors of the polynomial must include (x - (-4) ) = x + 4, x - 0 = x, and x - 2. So the polynomial must be a multiply of (x+4)(x)(x-2).

The general form of the polynomial is therefore

f(x)=a(x+4)(x-0)(x-2).

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Self-critique Rating:

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Question: * 5.1.42 / 7th edition 4.2.52 (was 4.2.40). What are the zeros of the function f(x)=(x+sqrt(3))^2 (x-2)^4 and what is the multiplicity of each?

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Given Solution:

* * f(x) will be zero if x + sqrt(3) = 0 or if x - 2 = 0.

The solutions to these equations are x = - sqrt(3) and x = 2.

The zero at x = -sqrt(3) comes from (x + sqrt(3))^2 so has degree 2.

The zero at x = 2 comes from (x-2)^4 so has degree 4.

For each zero does the graph touch or cross the x axis?

In each case the zero is of even degree, so it just touches the x axis. Near x = -sqrt(3) the graph is nearly a constant multiple of (x+sqrt(3))^2. Near x = 2 the graph is nearly a constant multiple of (x - 2)^4.

What power function does the graph of f resemble for large values of | x | ?

If you multiply out all the terms you will be a polynomial with x^6 as the highest-power term, i.e., the 'leading term'.

For large | x | the polynomial resembles this 'leading term'--i.e., it resembles the power function x^6. **

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Self-critique Rating:

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Question: * 5.1.61 / 7th edition 4.2.62 (was 4.2.50). f(x)= 5x(x-1)^3. Give the zeros, the multiplicity of each, the behavior of the function near each zero and the large-|x| behavior of the function.

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Your solution:

Zeros are x=0, x-1=0 so x=1

confidence rating:

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Given Solution:

* * The zeros occur when x = 0 and when x - 1 = 0, so the zeros are at x = 0 (multiplicity 1) and x = 1 (multiplicity 3).

Each zero is of odd degree so the graph crosses the x axis at each.

If you multiply out all the terms you will be a polynomial with 5 x^4 as the highest-power term, i.e., the 'leading term'.

For large | x | the polynomial resembles this 'leading term'--i.e., it resembles the power function 5 x^4.

What is the maximum number of turning points on the graph of f?

This is a polynomial of degree 4. A polynomial of degree n can have as many as n - 1 turning points. So this polynomial could possibly have as many as 4 - 1 = 3 turning points.

Give the intervals on which the graph of f is above and below the x-axis

this polynomial has zeros at x = 0 and x = 1.

So on each of the intervals (-infinity, 0), (0, 1) and (1, infinity) the polynomial will lie either wholly above or wholly below the x axis.

If x is a very large negative or positive number this fourth-degree polynomial will be positive, so on (-infinity, 0) and (1, infinity) the graph lies above the x axis.

On (0, 1) we can test any point in this interval. Testing x = .5 we find that 5x ( x-1)^3 = 5 * .5 ( .5 - 1)^3 = -.00625, which is negative.

So the graph lies below the x axis on the interval (0, 1).

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Self-critique (if necessary):

Self-critique Rating:

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