Question

Use the Rational Root Theorem to determine all rational numbers that might be zeros for 2x^3+5x^2-28x-15 ; then find as many real number zeros as possible. Possible values for are p/q are?

Answer 1

O.k, so I found out the real number zeros are -5, -1/2, and 3. But how would I figure the possible values for p/q?

Answer 2

Here is the problem and answer options:

Answer 3

The rational roots theorem states that p and q are taken from the coefficient of the leading term and the last term respectively. So in the case of 2x^3+5x^2-28x-15, p is all of the factors of 2 and q is all of the factors of -15. The factors for p would be 1,2,-1,-2 and q would be, 1,15,3,5,-1,-15,-3,-5. You then have to divide every positive and negative factor for q into every positive and negative factor for p.

Answer 4

Correction: p is the last term and q is the coefficient of the leading term.

Answer 5

One Direction lol :) <3

Answer 6

Thanks SBurchette.

Answer 7

Wait, would the answer be the first option?