In: Advanced Math
For the following exercises, use the graphs to write a polynomial function of least degree.
Consider the graph provided in the exercise.
Start from left,
The first zero occurs at x = -2/3. It is crossing x-axis linearly so it has multiplicity of 1.
The second zero occurs at x = 0.5. It is crossing x-axis linearly so it has multiplicity of 1.
The third zero occurs at x = 4/3. It is crossing x-axis linearly so it has multiplicity of 1.
Combine all this,
f(x) = a(x + 2/3)(x – 1/2)(x – 4/3)
To determine stretch factor a, put y intercept (0, 8) in the equation.
8 = a(0 + 2/3)(0 – 1/2)(0 – 4/3)
8 = a4/9
a = 72/4
a = 18
Hence, the function is f(x) = 18(x + 2/3)(x – 1/2)(x – 4/3).
Hence, the function is f(x) = 18(x + 2/3)(x – 1/2)(x – 4/3).