To find the roots of the polynomial \( p(x) = x^3 + 4x^2 - 7x - 10 \), we can attempt to identify possible rational roots using the Rational Root Theorem, synthetic division, or numerical methods.
The Rational Root Theorem suggests testing the factors of the constant term (-10) against the leading coefficient (1). The possible rational roots are \( \pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 5, \pm 10 \).
Let's start testing these values:
-
Testing \( x = 1 \): \[ p(1) = 1^3 + 4(1^2) - 7(1) - 10 = 1 + 4 - 7 - 10 = -12 \quad (\text{not a root}) \]
-
Testing \( x = -1 \): \[ p(-1) = (-1)^3 + 4(-1)^2 - 7(-1) - 10 = -1 + 4 + 7 - 10 = 0 \quad (\text{root found}) \]
Now that we have \( x = -1 \) as a root, we'll use synthetic division to factor the polynomial by \( x + 1 \):
Perform synthetic division:
-1 | 1 4 -7 -10
| -1 -3 10
-------------------
1 3 -10 0
The result is \( x^2 + 3x - 10 \).
Now, we factor \( x^2 + 3x - 10 \): \[ x^2 + 3x - 10 = (x + 5)(x - 2) \]
The complete factorization of \( p(x) \) is: \[ p(x) = (x + 1)(x + 5)(x - 2) \]
Thus, the roots are:
- \( x = -1 \)
- \( x = -5 \)
- \( x = 2 \)
Ordering these from smallest to largest gives: \[ -5, -1, 2 \]
Final answers: \[ \boxed{-5, -1, 2} \]