To solve the equation \( x^3 + x^2 - 16x - 16 = 0 \) and verify that \( x = -4 \) is indeed a solution, we first perform synthetic division to factor the polynomial using this root.
Step 1: Synthetic Division
Using synthetic division with \( x = -4 \):
-4 | 1 1 -16 -16
| -4 12 16
------------------------
1 -3 -4 0
After performing synthetic division, we find:
\[ x^3 + x^2 - 16x - 16 = (x + 4)(x^2 - 3x - 4) \]
Step 2: Factor the Quadratic
Next, we can factor \( x^2 - 3x - 4 \):
We look for two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) and add to \(-3\). The numbers \(-4\) and \(1\) fit this criteria. Thus, we can factor the quadratic as follows:
\[ x^2 - 3x - 4 = (x - 4)(x + 1) \]
Step 3: Write the Full Factorization
Thus, the original polynomial can be factored as:
\[ x^3 + x^2 - 16x - 16 = (x + 4)(x - 4)(x + 1) \]
Step 4: Find the Roots
Now, we can set each factor equal to zero to find the solutions:
- \( x + 4 = 0 \) → \( x = -4 \)
- \( x - 4 = 0 \) → \( x = 4 \)
- \( x + 1 = 0 \) → \( x = -1 \)
Step 5: Solution Set
The solutions to the equation \( x^3 + x^2 - 16x - 16 = 0 \) are:
\[ x = -4, \quad x = 4, \quad x = -1 \]
Conclusion
All of the solutions are real. Therefore, the correct statement describing the solution set is:
The equation has all real solutions.