Question

What are the approximate real number solution(s) to the polynomial function f(x) = x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6?

Answer 1

2 is one solution.

Answer 2

okay, thanks!

Answer 3

The factors of the constant at the end of your equation are the possible solutions to this problem. What are the different factors of 6?

Answer 4

1, 2, 3, and 6

Answer 5

Right. Both positive and negative, so you have 8 possible solutions.

Answer 6

ok, so is the group x = 3, x = 1, and x = -2 a possibility?

Answer 7

Since this is a third degree polynomial, there can only be three. And since you know one is 2, use synthetic division to find the others. Yes, the group you listed is certainly a possibility.

Answer 8

okay, thanks!

Answer 9

You are welcome.