Use the Intermediate Value Theorem and Rolle's Theorem to show the that the polynomial p (

mistergoneo7

mistergoneo7

Answered question

2022-07-13

Use the Intermediate Value Theorem and Rolle's Theorem to show the that the polynomial
p ( x ) = x 5 + x 3 + 7 x 2
has a unique real root.

Can someone please give some hints on how to do this question.

Answer & Explanation

persstemc1

persstemc1

Beginner2022-07-14Added 18 answers

The Intermediate Value Theorem establishes existence: there is at least one real root.

Notice that p ( 0 ) = 2 < 0 and p ( 1 ) = 7 > 0. Since p is continuous, the I.V.T. guarantees a number c such that p ( c ) = 0. (In fact, we know that 0 < c < 1.)

Rolle's Theorem establishes uniqueness: there is at most one real root. Why? Suppose that there were two roots a , b R . Since p is differentiable, Rolle's Theorem guarantees a number c ( a , b ) where p ( c ) = 0. What's wrong with that? The derivative
p ( x ) = 5 x 4 + 3 x 2 + 7 > 0
for all x R . Why? It's quadratic in x2 and its discriminant ( 3 ) 2 4 ( 5 ) ( 7 ) < 0.

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