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Algebra 15 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

What are the zeros of the polynomial function: f(x) = (x - 3)(x + 1)(x + 5)?

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

When is f(x)=0? Those are the zeros.

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

For example, f(3)=?

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

f(-1)=?

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

f(-5)=?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I have no idea. I just started this unit and it makes no sense to me

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

Whichever x makes f(x)=0 are the zeros. So if x=-5, what is f(x)? That's one zero. if x=-1, what is f(x)? That's another. if x=3, what is f(x)? That's the final one. So the zeros of f(x) are, x=-1,x=3 and x=-5.

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

And that is because when you plug in those x values into the equation above, you get, what?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

0

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

That's right. So know you know how to find zeros of any function f(x), just find the x values that make it zero! That's it! \(\huge☺\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thanks a lot

OpenStudy (ybarrap):

you are welcome

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