use the rational zeros theorem to find all the real zeros of the polynomial function. Use the zeros to factor f over the real numbers.

f(x)=x^3-8x^2-31x-22

1 answer

The RZT says that any rational root will be a factor of 22. So, the number of possibilities is quite limited:

±1 ±2 ±11 ±22

A little synthetic division shows that

f(x) = (x-11)(x+1)(x+2)