# Precalculus : Descartes' Rule, Intermediate Value Theorem, Sum and Product of Zeros

## Example Questions

### Example Question #1 : Find The Sum And Product Of The Zeros Of A Polynomial

Given , determine the sum and product of the zeros respectively.

Explanation:

To determine zeros of , factorize the polynomial.

Set each of the factorized components equal to zero and solve for .

The sum of the roots:

The product of the roots:

### Example Question #2 : Find The Sum And Product Of The Zeros Of A Polynomial

Please choose the best answer from the following choices.

Find the sum and product of the zeros of the following polynomial:

Explanation:

To find the zeros you have to factor the polynomial.

This is easily factorable and you will get  and .

Next, set both of these equal to zero.  and .

Isolate the x's and you will get  and .

The sum will be  since you add the two together, and the product will be  because you multiply the two together.

### Example Question #1 : Find The Sum And Product Of The Zeros Of A Polynomial

Please choose the best answer from the following choices.

Find the sum and product of the zeros of the following polynomial:

Explanation:

Factoring the polynomial will give you  and .

The zeros of these binomials will be  and .

If you add these together (sum) you get  and if you multiply them together (product) you get .

### Example Question #4 : Descartes' Rule, Intermediate Value Theorem, Sum And Product Of Zeros

Determine the possible number of Positive and Negative Real Zeros of the polynomial using Descartes' Rule of Signs

Positive zeroes:

Negative zeroes:

Positive zeroes:

Negative zeroes:

Positive zeroes:

Negative zeroes:

Positive zeroes:

Negative zeroes:

Positive zeroes:

Negative zeroes:

Explanation:

In order to determine the positive number of real zeroes, we must count the number of sign changes in the coefficients of the terms of the polynomial. The number of real zeroes can then be any positive difference of that number and a positive multiple of two.

For the function

there are four sign changes. As such, the number of positive real zeroes can be

In order to determine the positive number of real zeroes, we must count the number of sign changes in the coefficients of the terms of the polynomial after substituting for  The number of real zeroes can then be any positive difference of that number and a positive multiple of two.

After substituting  we get

and there is one sign change.

As such, there can only be one negative root.