Question

Approximate the real number solution(s) to the polynomial function f(x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6 .

x = –3, x = –1, x = 2

x = 3, x = 1, x = –2

x = 3, x = –1, x = 2

x = –3, x = 1, x = –2

Answer 1

what methods have you been told to use?

also, I assume the question is actually:

Approximate the real number solution(s) to the polynomial function f(x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6 = 0

Answer 2

i.e. find the x-intercepts

Answer 3

thats all it says

Answer 4

what methods have you been taught in class?

Answer 5

e.g. you could approximate the solutions by drawing a graph of f(x) and checking where it crosses the x axes

Answer 6

how would that work?

Answer 7

what do you mean by "work"?

Answer 8

if you just have:\[f(x) = x^3 – 4x^2 + x + 6\]then this has "no solutions" - it is just defining a curve given by the polynomial. However, if you were asked to find where this curve crosses on the x axes, then effectively you are finding solutions to:\[0=x^3 – 4x^2 + x + 6\]and one of doing that is to draw a graph of this curve and see where it crosses the x axes.

Answer 9

would it be B?

Answer 10

have you drawn the curve?

Answer 11

yes

Answer 12

can you upload a picture of it here please so I can check where you may have made a mistake?

Answer 13

oh wait, C