Question

MEDAL! Which correctly describes the roots of the following cubic equation?
x^3-5x^2+3x+9=0
three real roots, each with a different value
one real root and two complex roots
three real roots, two of which are equal in value
two real roots and one complex root

Answer 1

you can graph it

Answer 2

How about using descartes?

Answer 3

But then I guess you can't tell if the values will be the same or not, so I guess that won't work..

Answer 4

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/4av9fedlnx

Answer 5

Is it D?

Answer 6

When I graphed it I got -1 and 3

Answer 7

For the real roots.

Answer 8

But I'm not sure about the complex root

Answer 9

what are the x intercepts in that grap

Answer 10

-1 and 3

Answer 11

and 3 is a double root

Answer 12

.... So three roots? How did you determine that?

Answer 13

the height of the function is y, so when you cross the x axis (x intercept) the y value is zero. so x intercepts are roots or solutions of that equation

Answer 14

this is ez

Answer 15

So the answer is C?