Name

Date

Class

Review for Mastery

LESSON

6-5

Finding Real Roots of Polynomial Equations

To find the roots of a polynomial equation, set the equation equal to zero. Factor the
polynomial expression completely. Then set each factor equal to zero to solve for the variable.
5
4
3
Solve the equation: 2x 6x 8x .

Step 1

To set the equation equal to 0, rearrange the equation so that all the terms are on
one side.
2x 5 6x 4 8x 3
2x 5 6x 4 8x 3 0

Step 2

Look for the greatest number and the greatest power of x that can be factored from
each term.
5
4
3
2x 6x 8x 0
The GCF is 2x 3.
3
2
2x  x 3x 4  0

Step 3

Factor the quadratic.

3
2
2x  x 3x 4  0
3
2x  x 4   x 1  0

Step 4

Set each factor equal to 0.

2x 3 0
x40
x10

Step 5

Solve each equation.

2x 3 0
x40
x0
x 4

x10
x1

The solutions of the equation are called the roots.

The roots are 4, 0, and 1.
Solve each polynomial equation.
1. 3x 9x 30x
6

2. x 6x 5x

6
5
4
3x 9x 30x 0

x 4 5x 3 6x 2 0

4
2
3x  x 3x 10  0

3. 2x 3 6x 2 36x 0

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

All rights reserved.

4. 2x 6 32x 4 0

38

Holt Algebra 2

Name

Date

Class

Review for Mastery

LESSON

6-5

Finding Real Roots of Polynomial Equations (continued)

You can use the Rational Root Theorem to find rational roots.
Rational Root Theorem
If a polynomial has integer coefficients, then every rational root
p
can be written in the form __
q, where p is a factor of the constant
term and q is a factor of the leading coefficient.
Use the Rational Root Theorem. Solve the equation: x 3 3x 2 6x 8 0.
The constant term is 8. The leading coefficient is 1.
p: factors of 8 are 1, 2, 4, 8
q: factors of 1 are 1
p
Possible roots, __
q: 1, 2, 4, 8
Test some possible roots to find an actual root.
Use a synthetic substitution table. The first column
lists possible roots. The last column represents the
remainders. A root has a remainder of 0.
2 is a root, so x 2 is a factor.
Use the coefficients from the table to write the
other factor.
x

2   x 2 5x 4  0

x

2  x 4  x 1  0

p
__
q

Coefficients of the Equation

1
3
6
8

10

22

80

Factor the quadratic to find the other factors.

x 2 or x 4 or x 1
The roots of the equation are 4, 1, and 2.
Use the Rational Root Theorem. Solve x 3 7x 2 7x 15 0.
5. a. Identify possible roots.
b. Use the synthetic substitution table to identify an actual root.
p
__
q

Coefficients of the Equation

1
7
7
15

c. Write the factors of the equation.

d. Identify the roots of the equation.

Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

All rights reserved.

39

Holt Algebra 2

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Holt Algebra 2