How do you find all zeros of f(x)=x^4-x^3-20x^2f(x)=x4x320x2?

1 Answer
Dec 12, 2017

x=-4,x=0,x=5x=4,x=0,x=5

Explanation:

"take out a common factor of "x^2take out a common factor of x2

f(x)=x^2(x^2-x-20)f(x)=x2(x2x20)

"the factors of - 20 which sum to - 1 are - 5 and + 4"the factors of - 20 which sum to - 1 are - 5 and + 4

rArrf(x)=x^2(x-5)(x+4)f(x)=x2(x5)(x+4)

"to find zeros set "f(x)=0to find zeros set f(x)=0

rArrx^2(x-5)(x+4)=0x2(x5)(x+4)=0

"equate each factor to zero and solve for x"equate each factor to zero and solve for x

x^2=0rArrx=0" with multiplicity 2"x2=0x=0 with multiplicity 2

x-5=0rArrx=5x5=0x=5

x+4=0rArrx=-4x+4=0x=4