Find a degree 3 polynomial with real coefficients

Amanda Gonzalez

Amanda Gonzalez

Answered question

2022-06-26

Find a degree 3 polynomial with real coefficients having zeros 1 and 4 i and a lead coefficient of 1. Write P in expanded form

Answer & Explanation

alenahelenash

alenahelenash

Expert2023-06-19Added 556 answers

To find a degree 3 polynomial with real coefficients that has zeros at 1 and 4i, we know that complex zeros occur in conjugate pairs. Since 4i is a zero, its conjugate -4i must also be a zero.
The polynomial, let's call it P(x), can be expressed using its zeros as follows:
P(x)=(x1)(x4i)(x+4i)
Now, let's expand the expression to get the polynomial in its expanded form:
P(x)=(x1)(x2+4ix4ix16i2)
Remember that i2=1:
P(x)=(x1)(x216i2)
Simplifying further:
P(x)=(x1)(x2+16)
Expanding the multiplication:
P(x)=x3+16xx216
Rearranging the terms in descending order of powers:
P(x)=x3x2+16x16
Therefore, the degree 3 polynomial with real coefficients and zeros 1 and 4i, with a lead coefficient of 1, is given by:
P(x)=x3x2+16x16

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