Assignment 10 query

course Mth 271

010. `query 10*********************************************

Question: `qWhat is a polynomial with zeros at -3, 4 and 9? Describe the graph of your polynomial.

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Your solution:

f(x) = (x + 3)(x – 4)(x – 9)

the graph would have x intercepts (-3, 0), (4, 0), and (9, 0)

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I feel very confident about this problem.

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Given Solution:

`a A polynomial with zeros at -3, 4 and 9 must have factors (x + 3), ( x - 4) and (x - 9), and so must contain (x+3) (x-4) (x-9) as factors.

These factors can be multiplied by any constant. For example

8 (x+3) (x-4) (x-9),

-2(x+3) (x-4) (x-9) and

(x+3) (x-4) (x-9) / 1872

are all polynomizls with zeros at -3, 4 and 9.

If -3, 4 and 9 are the only zeros then (x+3), (x-4) and (x-9) are the only possible linear factors.

It is possible that the polynomial also has irreducible quadratic factors. For example x^2 + 3x + 10 has no zeros and is hence irreducible, so

(x+3) (x-4) (x-9) (x^3 + 3x + 10) would also be a polynomial with its only zeros at -3, 4 and 9.

The polynomial could have any number of irreducible quadratic factors. **

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Self-critique Rating:

I used logic to solve this problem.

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Question: `qWhat are the three limits for your function (if a limit doesn't exist say so and tell why)?

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Your solution:

This problem doesn’t have any limits. Limits exist when a problem is divided by x and some number. A limit would be the number that would make the denominator 0. For this problem, the function isn’t divided by anything, so there are no limits.

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I feel fairly confident about this problem.

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Given Solution:

`aSTUDENT RESPONSE:

The three limits are a. 0 b. 2 c. no limit The limit doesn't exist because while the function approaches left and right-handed limits, those limits are different.

INSTRUCTOR COMMENT:

That is correct.

ADVICE TO ALL STUDENTS:

Remember that the limit of a function at a point depends only on what happens near that point. What happens at the point itself is irrelevant to the limiting behavior of the function as we approach that point.

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Self-critique Rating:

I think I understand the problem. The given solution makes no sense to me.

You don't appear to have a correct definition of a limit. Your statement that a limit is a number that makes the denominator zero is not correct, and is not related to the definition of a limit.

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Question: `q lim of (x+4)^(1/3) as x -> 4

What is the desired limit and why?

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Your solution:

x = 4

(4 + 4)^(1/3)

= 8^(1/3)

= 2

confidence rating:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I feel fairly confident about this problem.

Consider the following explanation:

The limit of a function at a point is not

defined
by its value at that point, but rather by its values

near the point.


A continuous function is one for which the values near a given

point
happen to approach the value of the function at that

point. This is the case for most familiar functions at most points, so it can be

difficult to appreciate why this is an important definition.


The present function f(x) = (x + 4)^(1/3) is defined for all values of x, and

like most functions with which you are familiar, is continuous for all values of

x.


The present question asks about the limit of this function as x approaches 4.

If x is near 4, then in this case f(x) is near

f(4).

 

Furthermore no matter how close we want f(x) to be

to f(4), we can guarantee that it's this close by requiring

that x be close enough to 4.

 

It is for this reason and in this sense that the limiting

value of f(x) = (x + 4)^(1/3), as x approaches 4, is (4 + 4)^(1/3) = 2.

This boils down to the following: