P(x)=(x-1)^5 + 16

Question

P(x)=(x-1)^5 + 16

asapbleh · Answer

I understand to solve for x, you must put the equation to zero. But I dont know how to solve for x because the degree of this polynomial function is 5.

So the best i could get up to is

0=(x-1)^5 +16
-16=(x-1)^5

jkristia · Answer

are you sure of the equation?, as far as I can tell this doesn't give a 'nice;' number since you have to take the fifth root of -16

jkristia · Answer

oh - wait, yes, isolate x, take fifth root on both sides, which leaves you x - 1 on the right side, then add 1 to each side, and you have isolated x

asapbleh · Answer

yeah, but this is the original probem. I need to graph this and then find the y and x intercepts of this.

jkristia · Answer

really, you have to graph this ?, seems hard to find the x intercept without a calculator.

y intercept = (-1)^5 + 16 = 15
x intercept = fifthroot(-16) + 1 = -0.741 , but how can you do this without calculator ?