MATHEMATICS 10

QUARTER 1 - WEEK 7

Learning Competencies: The learner …

A. proves Rational Root Theorem. (M10AL - Ii- 2).
B. factors polynomials. (M10AL - Ih - 1).

RATIONAL ROOT THEOREM

RATIONAL ROOT THEOREM

A rational number
expressed in lowest form is a zero of a polynomial equation P(x) only if p is a factor of
the constant term a0, and q is a factor of the leading coefficient an.

The process of finding the rational zeros of a polynomial equation is very similar in finding the integral zeros of
the equation. The only difference lies in the possible roots to be tested.
The rational zero theorem is used when the leading coefficient of the polynomial an is neither zero nor one.

Example 1. Find the rational zeros of P(x) = 10x3 - 17x2 - 7x + 2 = 0.

Solution: By the rational zero theorem, if is a root of P(x), then p must be a factor of 2 (the constant term) and
q must be a factor of 10 (leading coefficient).

Factors of p are (2): ±1, ±2 Factors of p are(10): ±1, ±2, ±5, ±10

Dividing each p by q, will give the possible roots of P(x) as:

±1, ±2, ± , ± ,± ,±

Select a possible root, then check using synthetic division.

2 10 -17 -7 2

20 6 -2

10 3 -1 0
2 is a root of P(x)
Thus, P(x) = (x - 2) (10x2 + 3x - 1)

The resulting equation 10x2 + 3x - 1 will limit the roots to ±1, ± , ± , ± . Since the remaining depressed
equation is a quadratic equation, you may choose between continuing the process using synthetic division or by using
different techniques (like quadratic formula, trial and error method, etc.)

Continuing the process, we have:

10 3 -1

5 4

10 8 3
is NOT a root of P(x).
 10 3 -1

-5 1

10 -2 0

is a root of P(x).
10 -2 = 5 - 1
2 Using 5x - 1 to find the last root of the equation: 5x - 1 = 0 x=

Thus, the roots of P(x) = 10x3 - 17x2 - 7x + 2 = 0 are 2, , and .

Example 2. Factor 6x4 -7x3 - 9x2 + 7x + 3, then find its rational roots.
Solution:
6x4 -7x3 - 9x2 + 7x + 3

q: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6 p: ±1, ±2, ±3

±1, ±2, ±3, ± , ± , ± , ± , ±

2 6 -7 -9 7 3 -2 6 -7 -9 7 3

12 10 2 18 -12 38 -58 102

6 5 1 9 21 6 -19 29 -51 105

1 6 -7 -9 7 3

6 -1 -10 -3

6 -1 -10 -3 0 1 is a root of P(x), x - 1 is a factor of P(x).

-1 6 -1 -10 -3 Coefficients of the depressed P(x)

-6 7 3

6 -7 -3 0 -1 is a root of P(x), x + 1 is a factor.

6 -7 -3

6 -5

-3 Coefficients of the depressed P(x)

6 -7
 -2 3

6 -9 0 is a root of P(x), thus x + or 3x + 1 is a factor

6 -9 = 2 -3
3 Use 2x - 3, the final factor, to get the final root of P(x).
2x - 3 = 0 x= is the final root.

Thus, the factors of P(x) = (x - 1) (x + 1) (3x + 1) (2x - 3), and the roots are 1, -1, and .

FACTORING POLYNOMIALS
The fundamental theorem of Algebra states that, “Every polynomial P(x) of degree n has exactly n roots.”

INTEGRAL ZERO THEOREM

An integer k is a root of a polynomial only if k is a factor of a0, the constant term.

This theorem is applied when the leading coefficient of the polynomial is 1.

Example 1. Determine the number of roots of each polynomial equation.
a. P(x) = 3x31 + x21 - 2x11 + 7x = 0
b. P(x) = (x + 2)4 (3x - 1) 2 (x -1) 5 = 0
Solution:
a. P(x) is of the 31st degree. Since 31 is the highest exponent in all its exponent. Hence, P(x) has 31 roots.
b. When expanded, the degree of P(x) will be obvious; P(x) if of the 4 + 2 + 5 = 11 th degree. Hence, it has 11 roots.
The linear factor x + 2 occurs 4 times, the corresponding root -2 is said to be of multiplicity 4. The linear factor
3x - 1 occurs 3 times, the corresponding root is said to be of multiplicity 2. The linear factor x - 1 occurs 5
times, the corresponding root 1 is said to be of multiplicity 5.

Example 2. Determine the degree and the zeroes of each polynomial.

a. P(x) = (x - 3)2 (x + 1)2 (2x + 5)
b. P(x) = x3 (x + 2) ( x - 4) 5
c. P(x) = (x2 - 1) (x2 + 4x + 4)
Solution:
a. P(x) is of 6th degree. Its zeroes are 3 as a double zero, - 1 as a triple zero, and as a single zero.
b. P(x) is of 9th degree. Its zeroes are 0 as triple zero, -2 as a single zero, and 4 as a zero of multiplicity 5.
c. P(x) = (x2 - 1) (x2 + 4x + 4)
= (x + 1) (x - 1) (x + 2) (x + 2)

P(x) is of the 4th degree. Its zeroes are - 1, 1, and -2 as a double zero.

The difficulty of finding the zeroes of a polynomial or the roots of a polynomial equation increases when the
polynomial is NOT expressed in factored form. In this case, the guess - and - check method may be employed.

Example 3. Find the factors of P(x) = x3 + 5x2 + 2x - 8.

Solution: Find the factors of -8 (the constant term). The factors of -8 are ±1, ±2, ±4, ±8.
Select one factor of - 8 and use it in synthetic division as c. If the remainder is becomes zero, then the selected
root is a factor of the given P(x).
Try 2
2 1 5 2 -8

2 14 32

1 7 16 24
 -2 1 5 2 -8

-2 -6 8

1 3 -4 0
2 is not a root of P(x).
Try -2

-2 is a root of P(x).

Thus, P(x) = (x +2) (x2 + 3x - 4).

4 1 3 -4
Using the depressed 4 28 equation (x2 + 3x - 4) as the dividend, find the other
roots using the same process. Since the constant term in the new equation
is - 4, the choices will be 1 7 24 trimmed down to its factors (±1, ±4, ±8).

Try 4
-4 1 3 -4

-4 4

1 -1 0 4 is not a root of P(x).

Try -4

-4 is a root of P(x).

Thus, P(x) = (x + 2) (x + 4) ( x - 1), are the factors of P(x) and the integrals zeros of the polynomial are -2, -4, and 1.
ACTIVITY SHEET - MATHEMATICS 10
QUARTER 1 - WEEK 7
Name: _______________________________________ Grade & Section: ______________________

Factor and find all the zeroes of each polynomial equations.

1. P(x) = 6x3 + 4x2 - 14x + 4

2. P(x) = 6x4 + x3 - 13x2 - 2x + 2
3. 2x3 - 5x2 - 14x + 8 = 0

One of the roots of the polynomial equation is given. Find the other roots.

1. 2x4 + 9x3 + 11x2 - 4 = 0 ; x = -1

2. 2x3 - 3x2 - 5x + 6 = 0 ; x=2
3. 3x3 - 4x2- 17x + 6 = 0 ; x=3
Factors completely the following polynomials.

1. P(x) = x3 - 2x2 - x + 2 _____________________________

2. P(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1 _____________________________

3. P(x) = x4 - 2x3 - 7x2 + 8x + 12 _____________________________

4. P(x) = x3 - 8 _____________________________

5. P(x) = x3 - 13x + 12 _____________________________

6. P(x) = x3 + 9x2 + 23x + 15 _____________________________

7. P(x) = x4 + 2x3 - 8x2 -18x - 9 _____________________________

8. P(x) = x4 + 7x3 + 13x2 - 3x - 8 _____________________________

9. P(x) = x3 +3x2 - 4x - 12 _____________________________

10. P(x) = x3 -9x2 + 26x - 24 _____________________________