Write a polynomial function of degree 4 with the following characteristics: Degree: 4 Zeros: x = 3 (odd multiplicity) x = 2 (odd multiplicity) x = 5 (even multiplicity) Which of the following is the correct polynomial? (3 points) Responses f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)2(x−5)2 f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)2(x−5)2 f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)(x−5)2 f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)(x−5)2 f(x) = (x−3)2(x−2)(x−5) f(x) = (x−3)2(x−2)(x−5) f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)2(x−5) f(x) = (x−3)(x−2)2(x−5)

1 answer

To construct a polynomial function of degree 4 with the specified zeros and their multiplicities, let's analyze the given conditions:

  1. \( x = 3 \) has odd multiplicity. For the sake of degree 4, we can assign it a multiplicity of 1.
  2. \( x = 2 \) also has odd multiplicity. We can assign it a multiplicity of 1 as well.
  3. \( x = 5 \) has even multiplicity. To ensure we achieve a total degree of 4, we can assign it a multiplicity of 2.

With these multiplicities, we can write the polynomial in factored form:

\[ f(x) = (x - 3)^1 (x - 2)^1 (x - 5)^2 \]

This can be simplified and expressed as:

\[ f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2 \]

Now, let's check the degree. The degree contributions are:

  • \( x - 3 \) contributes 1 (from multiplicity 1)
  • \( x - 2 \) contributes 1 (from multiplicity 1)
  • \( (x - 5)^2 \) contributes 2 (from multiplicity 2)

So, the total degree is \( 1 + 1 + 2 = 4 \), which matches our requirement.

Now, looking at the options provided:

  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2 \) (This is the correct form.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)^2(x - 5)^2 \) (Degree is 6, incorrect.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2 \) (Repeat of the first option.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2 \) (Repeat of the first option.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)^2(x - 2)(x - 5) \) (Degree is 5, incorrect.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)^2(x - 2)(x - 5) \) (Repeat of the previous, degree 5.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)^2(x - 5) \) (This has degree 5, incorrect.)
  • \( f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)^2(x - 5) \) (Repeat of the previous, degree 5.)

The correct polynomial function is:

\[ f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2 \]

Thus the correct response from your selections is:

f(x) = (x - 3)(x - 2)(x - 5)^2