Polynomial functions question?

Question

http://i56.tinypic.com/wml21g.jpg
 Look at Question 8c)

 how am i suppposed to know which factors have which exponents?

A degree 6 function with a negetive leading coefficiant. If i was to guess that I would get to... -x (x+6) (x-5) 

How am i supposed to know where the exponents go? or do i just add 2s and 3s wherever it makes sense..?

? · Answer

There are many solutions. All you can say is that your degree six polynomial will be of the form

p(x) = -a (x-0)(x+6)(x-5)q(x)

where q(x) is a degree 3 polynomial with positive leading coefficient, and where a is positive. You can let q(x) = (x+6)^2 (x-5), or (x+6)(x-5)^2, or (x-pi)(x+pi^2)(x-1512341), or whatnot.

suzonka · Answer

The variable of the polynomial, in this case x, is also called the argument of the polynomial.  Here is a polynomial with argument t

Polynomial functions question?

2 Answers