Question

PLEASE HELP!!!! PLEASEEE!!
What are all methods to finding zeros and factors of higher degree polynomial functions?

Use f(x)=3x^4+2x^3-x^2+6x+8 to explain

Answer 1

@dan815

Answer 2

@Loser66

Answer 3

SOMEONE PLEASE !!

Answer 4

Guess one, and then divide by that binomial

Answer 5

that would be a method?

Answer 6

That wont help here... but yes

Answer 7

I'm not sure about all the methods . This is equation of 4th degree so there are 4 roots
The rational root theorem will give you an idea about the possible roots.
You multiply the first coefficient by the last - in this case its 3*8 = 24

so the possible roots are factors of 24

+-/1 , +/- 2 , +/-3,+/- 4,+/- 6 , +/- 8 , +/- 12

Answer 8

then you use factor theorem to try them out

Answer 9

ok so thats how i would find the zeros?

Answer 10

There is a general solution for 4th degree polynomials, but nothing higher. It is not fun but you can read about it. Set aside some time:)

Answer 11

yes - that one's is heavy stuff.

Answer 12

http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/785/is-there-a-general-formula-for-solving-4th-degree-equations

read this to get an idea of how annoying it is, and why we invented calculators :)

Answer 13

yes lol

Answer 14

you might try all the rational roots i mentioned and none will fit
the 4 roots may be all complex

Answer 15

they are :(

Answer 16

A graphical calculator is the easiest method

Answer 17

yes - i just found that out on my calculator

Answer 18

I would use wolframalpha or a calculator and while you save time on doing a bunch of calculations and depressing cubics...you can learn about the history of the general formulas to the cubic and 4th degree polynomials. The history is fascinating and has stealing, cheating, lying, throwing bottles, and general greatness.

Answer 19

oh yeah, and a mathematician called "The Stammer"