Quarter 2 Lesson 4
Solving Polynomial
Equations
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to
do the following:
● Apply the Rational Root Theorem and the Factor
Theorem.
● Solve polynomial equations.
● Solve real-world problems involving solving
polynomial equations
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Rational Root Theorem
Let 𝑃(𝑥) be a polynomial function whose leading term is 𝑎! 𝑥 !
and whose constant term is 𝑎" , where 𝑎! and 𝑎" are nonzero
#
integers. If the rational number is a zero of 𝑃(𝑥) such that the
$
GCF of 𝑝 and 𝑞 is 1, then 𝑝 is a factor of 𝑎" and 𝑞 is a factor of
𝑎! .
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Rational Root Theorem
Note that if a number 𝑘 is a solution of 𝑃 𝑥 = 0, then 𝑘 is
called a root of the equation. Additionally, if a number 𝑘
makes a polynomial function 𝑃 𝑥 zero when it is substituted
to 𝑥, then 𝑛 is called a zero of the function.
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Rational Root Theorem
Example:
Consider the polynomial 𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6. To determine
#
its possible roots, solve for .
$
𝑝: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6
𝑞: ±1
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Rational Root Theorem
Example:
Consider the polynomial 𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6. To determine
#
its possible roots, solve for .
$
𝑝
: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6
𝑞
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Factor Theorem
If 𝑃(𝑥) is a polynomial function and 𝑘 is a real number, then
𝑥 − 𝑘 is a factor of 𝑃(𝑥) if and only if 𝑃 𝑘 = 0.
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Factor Theorem
Example:
Consider the polynomial 𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6. Let us check
if 𝑥 + 1 is a factor of 𝑃 𝑥 by checking if 𝑃 −1 = 0.
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6
𝑃 −1 = −1 % − 4 −1 & + −1 + 6
𝑃 −1 = −1 − 4 − 1 + 6
𝑃 −1 =0
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Factor Theorem
Example:
Since 𝑃 −1 = 0, it follows that 𝑥 + 1 is a factor of
𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6.
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Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
A polynomial function 𝑃(𝑥) of degree 𝑛 has exactly 𝑛 zeros. It
follows that 𝑃(𝑥) has at most 𝑛 rational zeros. This theorem
helps us check whether we have the correct number of zeros
given the degree of a polynomial function.
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Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
Example:
The polynomial 𝑃 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6 has a degree of 3.
Thus, 𝑃 𝑥 has at most three rational zeros.
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Solutions of a Polynomial Equation
The solutions of a polynomial equation are the value(s) of 𝑥
that will make the equation true.
Example:
The solutions of 𝑥 % − 4𝑥 & + 𝑥 + 6 = 0 are −1, 2, and 3.
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Solutions of a Polynomial Equation
1. Write the equation in general form.
2. Use the Rational Root Theorem to find the possible roots
of the given equation.
3. Test any of these values for a zero by substituting this to
the value of 𝑥 in the given equation.
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Solutions of a Polynomial Equation
a. If 𝑘 is a root, then 𝑥 − 𝑘 is a factor of the given polynomial.
The polynomial can then be divided by the binomial 𝑥 − 𝑘
to obtain the depressed polynomial by synthetic division.
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Solutions of a Polynomial Equation
b. If the depressed polynomial is still of a higher degree which
cannot be factored easily yet, get another possible root.
Use the same method as above but this time, divide the
depressed polynomial by the formed factor for an easier
computation.
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Solutions of a Polynomial Equation
c. If the depressed polynomial has a degree of 2, try factoring
the polynomial using the different factoring techniques. If
the polynomial is not factorable, use the quadratic formula.
4. Apply the Zero Product Property.
Let’s
Try it!Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution:
1. Write the equation in general form. This step is important
so that we have the correct values of 𝑎" and 𝑎! . This is
already the case in the given equation, so proceed to the
next step.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution:
2. Determine the values of 𝑎" and 𝑎! .
In this case, 𝑎" = −18 and 𝑎! = 1.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution:
3. List the factors of 𝑎" and 𝑎! to obtain the possible values of
𝑝 and 𝑞, respectively. Be sure to consider both positive and
negative values.
𝑝: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6, ±9, ±18
𝑞: ±1
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution:
#
4. List the possible values of by forming all possible
$
combinations of the values of 𝑝 and 𝑞. Again, consider both
positive and negative values. Duplicates can be eliminated.
𝑝
: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±6, ±9, ±18
𝑞
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 1: What are the possible rational roots of the
polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 = 0?
Solution:
Therefore, by the Rational Root Theorem, the possible
rational roots of the polynomial equation 𝑥 % + 2𝑥 & − 9𝑥 − 18 =
0 are ±𝟏, ±𝟐, ±𝟑, ±𝟔, ±𝟗, ±𝟏𝟖.
Let’s
Try it!Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
1. Write the equation in general form.
𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12 = 0
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
2. Use the Rational Root Theorem to determine the possible
roots of the given equation.
#
To list the possible values of , form all the possible
$
combinations of the values of 𝑝 and 𝑞. These values can be
obtained from the factors of 𝑎" and 𝑎! , respectively.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
𝑝: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±6, ±12
𝑞: ±1
𝑝
: ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±6, ±12
𝑞
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
3. Test any of these values for a zero.
Check if −1 is a root of the equation.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12
𝑓 −1 = −1 % − 3 −1 & − 16 −1 − 12
= −1 − 3 1 + 16 − 12
= −1 − 3 + 16 − 12
= −4 + 16 − 12
= 12 − 12
=0
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
Since −1 is a root, 𝑥 + 1 is a factor of the polynomial 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 &
− 16𝑥 − 12. Divide 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12 by 𝑥 + 1 to find the
depressed polynomial.
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
−1 1 −3 −16 −12
−1 4 12
1 −4 −12 0
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
The quotient is 𝑥 & − 4𝑥 − 12. The factors of this polynomial are
(𝑥 − 6) and (𝑥 + 2). Thus, 𝑥 & − 4𝑥 − 12 = (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 2).
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
4. Apply the Zero Product Property.
𝑥 & − 4𝑥 − 12 = 0
𝑥−6 𝑥+2 =0
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
4. Apply the Zero Product Property.
𝑥−6=0 𝑥+2=0
𝑥=6 𝑥 = −2
Solution to Let’s Practice
Example 2: Find the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12.
Solution:
4. Apply the Zero Product Property.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation 𝑥 % − 3𝑥 & − 16𝑥 − 12
= 0 are −𝟏, 𝟔, and −𝟐.
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Individual Practice:
[Link] all the possible rational zeros of 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 % − 7𝑥 &
+ 3𝑥 + 2.
[Link] the rational roots of 𝑓 𝑥 = 0 where 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 % + 5𝑥 &
− 4𝑥 − 20.
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Group Practice: This will be done in groups of two to five
The volume of a rectangular solid is 18 cubic feet. The
width is 2 feet less than its height. The length is 3 feet
more than its height. Find the dimensions of the solid.
Key Points
• Let 𝑃(𝑥) be a polynomial function whose leading term is
𝑎! 𝑥 ! and whose constant term is 𝑎" , where 𝑎! and 𝑎" are
nonzero integers. The Rational Root Theorem states that
#
if the rational number $
is a zero of 𝑃(𝑥) such that the GCF
of 𝑝 and 𝑞 is 1, then 𝑝 is a factor of 𝑎" and 𝑞 is a factor of
𝑎! .
Key Points
• The Factor Theorem states that if 𝑃(𝑥) is a polynomial
function and 𝑘 is a real number, then 𝑥 − 𝑘 is a factor of
𝑃(𝑥) if and only if 𝑃 𝑘 = 0.
• The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that a
polynomial function 𝑃 𝑥 of degree 𝑛 has exactly 𝑛
complex zeros.
Key Points
• The solutions of a polynomial equation are the value(s)
of 𝑥 that will make the equation true.