Question

How many zeros does the function have? f(x)=-3x^6+2x^4+7x^8-5

Answer 1

If you are asking how many complex roots the polynomial has, that would of course correspond to the degree of the polynomial.

To find the real roots is more difficult. It is proven to be impossible to solve for the roots of a polynomial of degree higher than 4 in closed form. You will need to do so numerically with a algorithm like Newton's method.

Answer 2

Wouldn't there be 8 zeros? Because of the highest exponent?

Answer 3

8 complex roots yes

Answer 4

Ok, thank you

Answer 5

Couldn't I graph it on my calculator and count the x-intercepts?

Answer 6

Hello?

Answer 7

Sure I guess you could do that.

Answer 8

It looks like there are 2 real roots.

Answer 9

So for the question, should I put 2 or 8? It just asks how many zeros.

Answer 10

You could say 2 real roots and 6 complex roots.

Answer 11

I thought there were 8 complex roots?

Answer 12

Hello?

Answer 13

HELLO????

Answer 14

Sorry before when I said 8 complex roots I meant 8 complex & real roots. My point is there are always n roots total where n is the degree of the polynomial.

Answer 15

OOOHH! Ok thank you!