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# 6.12: Finding Imaginary Solutions

Difficulty Level: At Grade Created by: CK-12
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Practice Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

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Louis calculates that the area of a rectangle is represented by the equation 3x4+7x2=2\begin{align*}3x^4 + 7x^2 = 2\end{align*}. Did is calculate right? Explain.

### Guidance

In #12 from the previous problem set, there are two imaginary solutions. Imaginary solutions always come in pairs. To find the imaginary solutions to a function, use the Quadratic Formula. If you need a little review on imaginary numbers and how to solve a quadratic equation with complex solutions see the Quadratic Equations chapter.

#### Example A

Solve f(x)=3x4x214\begin{align*}f(x)=3x^4-x^2-14\end{align*}. (#12 from the previous problem set.)

Solution: First, this quartic function can be factored just like a quadratic equation. See the Factoring Polynomials in Quadratic Form concept from this chapter for review.

f(x)000=3x4x214=3x47x2+6x214=x2(3x27)+2(3x27)=(x2+2)(3x27)\begin{align*}f(x) &= 3x^4-x^2-14\\ 0 &= 3x^4-7x^2+6x^2-14\\ 0 &= x^2(3x^2-7)+2(3x^2-7)\\ 0 &= (x^2+2)(3x^2-7)\end{align*}

Now, because neither factor can be factored further and there is no x\begin{align*}x-\end{align*}term, we can set each equal to zero and solve.

x2+2=0x2=2andx=±2 or ±i23x27=03x2=7x2=73x=±73 or ±213\begin{align*}& && 3x^2-7=0\\ & x^2+2=0 && 3x^2=7\\ & x^2=-2 \qquad \qquad \qquad \quad and && x^2=\frac{7}{3}\\ & x=\pm \sqrt{-2} \ or \ \pm i \sqrt{2} && x=\pm \sqrt{\frac{7}{3}} \ or \ \pm \frac{\sqrt{21}}{3}\end{align*}

Including the imaginary solutions, there are four, which is what we would expect because the degree of this function is four.

#### Example B

Find all the solutions of the function g(x)=x4+21x2+90\begin{align*}g(x)=x^4+21x^2+90\end{align*}.

Solution: When graphed, this function does not touch the x\begin{align*}x-\end{align*}axis. Therefore, all the solutions are imaginary. To solve, this function can be factored like a quadratic equation. The factors of 90 that add up to 21 are 6 and 15.

g(x)0=x4+21x2+90=(x2+6)(x2+15)\begin{align*}g(x) &= x^4+21x^2+90\\ 0 &= (x^2+6)(x^2+15)\end{align*}

Now, set each factor equal to zero and solve.

x2+6=0x2=6andx=±i6x2+15=0x2=15x=±i15\begin{align*}& x^2+6=0 && x^2+15=0\\ & x^2=-6 \qquad \qquad \qquad and && x^2=-15\\ & x=\pm i \sqrt{6} && x=\pm i \sqrt{15}\end{align*}

#### Example C

Find the function that has the solution 3, -2, and 4+i\begin{align*}4 + i\end{align*}.

Solution: Notice that one of the given solutions is imaginary. Imaginary solutions always come in pairs, so 4i\begin{align*}4 - i\end{align*} is also a factor, they are complex conjugates. Now, translate each solution into a factor and multiply them all together.

Any multiple of this function would also have these roots. For example, 2x418x3+38x2+62x204\begin{align*}2x^4-18x^3+38x^2+62x-204\end{align*} would have these roots as well.

Intro Problem Revisit First we need to change the equation to standard form. Then we can factor it.

3x4+7x2=2=3x4+7x22=03x4+7x22=(3x2+1)(x2+2)=0\begin{align*}3x^4 + 7x^2 = 2\\ = 3x^4 + 7x^2 - 2 = 0\\ 3x^4 + 7x^2 - 2 = (3x^2 + 1)(x^2 + 2) = 0 \end{align*}

Solving for x we get

3x2+1=0x2=13andx=±i13x2+2=0x2=2x=±i2\begin{align*} 3x^2+1=0 && x^2+2=0\\ & x^2=\frac{-1}{3} \qquad \qquad \qquad and && x^2=-2\\ & x=\pm i \sqrt{\frac{1}{3}} && x=\pm i \sqrt{2}\end{align*}

All of the solutions are imaginary and the area of a rectangle must have real solutions. Therefore Louis did not calculate correctly.

### Guided Practice

Find all the solutions to the following functions.

1. f(x)=25x3120x2+81x4\begin{align*}f(x)=25x^3-120x^2+81x-4\end{align*}

2. f(x)=4x4+35x29\begin{align*}f(x)=4x^4+35x^2-9\end{align*}

3. Find the equation of a function with roots 4, 2\begin{align*}\sqrt{2}\end{align*} and 1i\begin{align*}1-i\end{align*}.

1. First, graph the function.

Using the Rational Root Theorem, the possible realistic zeros could be 125\begin{align*}\frac{1}{25}\end{align*}, 1 or 4. Let’s try these three possibilities using synthetic division.

Of these three possibilities, only 4 is a zero. The leftover polynomial, 25x220x+1\begin{align*}25x^2-20x+1\end{align*} is not factorable, so we need to do the Quadratic Formula to find the last two zeros.

x=20±2024(25)(1)2(25)=20±40010050=20±10350 or 2±350.746 and 0.054\begin{align*}x &= \frac{20 \pm \sqrt{20^2-4(25)(1)}}{2(25)}\\ &= \frac{20 \pm \sqrt{400-100}}{50}\\ & =\frac{20 \pm 10 \sqrt{3}}{50} \ or \ \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{3}}{5} \approx 0.746 \ and \ 0.054\end{align*}

\begin{align*}^*\end{align*}Helpful Hint: Always find the decimal values of each zero to make sure they match up with the graph.

2. f(x)=4x4+35x29\begin{align*}f(x)=4x^4+35x^2-9\end{align*} is factorable. ac=36\begin{align*}ac = -36\end{align*}.

4x4+35x294x4+36x2x294x2(x2+9)1(x2+9)(x2+9)(4x21)\begin{align*}& 4x^4+35x^2-9\\ & 4x^4+36x^2-x^2-9\\ & 4x^2(x^2+9)-1(x^2+9)\\ & (x^2+9)(4x^2-1)\end{align*}

Setting each factor equal to zero, we have:

x2+9=0x2=9orx=±3i4x21=04x2=1x2=14x=±12\begin{align*}& && 4x^2-1=0\\ & x^2+9=0 && 4x^2=1\\ & x^2=-9 \quad \qquad \qquad or && x^2=\frac{1}{4}\\ & x=\pm 3i && x=\pm \frac{1}{2}\end{align*}

\begin{align*}^*\end{align*}This problem could have also been done by using the same method from #1.

3. Recall that irrational and imaginary roots come in pairs. Therefore, all the roots are 4, 2,2,1+i,1i\begin{align*}\sqrt{2}, {\color{red}-\sqrt{2}},1+i,{\color{red}1-i}\end{align*}. Multiply all 5 roots together.

(x4)(x2)(x+2)(x(1+i))(x(1i))(x4)(x22)(x22x+2)(x34x22x+8)(x22x+2)x56x4+8x34x220x+16\begin{align*}& (x-4)(x-\sqrt{2})(x+\sqrt{2})(x-(1+i))(x-(1-i))\\ & (x-4)(x^2-2)(x^2-2x+2)\\ & (x^3-4x^2-2x+8)(x^2-2x+2)\\ & x^5-6x^4+8x^3-4x^2-20x+16\end{align*}

### Practice

Find all solutions to the following functions. Use any method.

1. \begin{align*}f(x)=x^4+x^3-12x^2-10x+20\end{align*}
2. \begin{align*}f(x)=4x^3-20x^2-3x+15\end{align*}
3. \begin{align*}f(x)=2x^4-7x^2-30\end{align*}
4. \begin{align*}f(x)=x^3+5x^2+12x+18\end{align*}
5. \begin{align*}f(x)=4x^4+4x^3-22x^2-8x+40\end{align*}
6. \begin{align*}f(x)=3x^4+4x^2-15\end{align*}
7. \begin{align*}f(x)=2x^3-6x^2+9x-27\end{align*}
8. \begin{align*}f(x)=6x^4-7x^3-280x^2-419x+280\end{align*}
9. \begin{align*}f(x)=9x^4+6x^3-28x^2+2x+11\end{align*}
10. \begin{align*}f(x)=2x^5-19x^4+30x^3+97x^2-20x+150\end{align*}

Find a function with the following roots.

1. \begin{align*}4, i\end{align*}
2. \begin{align*}-3, -2i\end{align*}
3. \begin{align*}\sqrt{5}, -1 + i\end{align*}
4. \begin{align*}2, \frac{1}{3}, 4-\sqrt{2}\end{align*}
5. Writing Write down the steps you use to find all the zeros of a polynomial function.
6. Writing Why do imaginary and irrational roots always come in pairs?
7. Challenge Find all the solutions to \begin{align*}f(x)=x^5+x^3+8x^2+8\end{align*}.

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Color Highlighted Text Notes

### Vocabulary Language: English

Complex Conjugate

Complex conjugates are pairs of complex binomials. The complex conjugate of $a+bi$ is $a-bi$. When complex conjugates are multiplied, the result is a single real number.

complex number

A complex number is the sum of a real number and an imaginary number, written in the form $a + bi$.

conjugate pairs theorem

The conjugate pairs theorem states that if $f(z)$ is a polynomial of degree $n$, with $n\ne0$ and with real coefficients, and if $f(z_{0})=0$, where $z_{0}=a+bi$, then $f(z_{0}^{*})=0$. Where $z_{0}^{*}$ is the complex conjugate of $z_{0}$.

fundamental theorem of algebra

The fundamental theorem of algebra states that if $f(x)$ is a polynomial of degree $n\ge 1$, then $f(x)$ has at least one zero in the complex number domain. In other words, there is at least one complex number $c$ such that $f(c)=0$. The theorem can also be stated as follows: an $n^{th}$ degree polynomial with real or complex coefficients has, with multiplicity, exactly $n$ complex roots.

Imaginary Number

An imaginary number is a number that can be written as the product of a real number and $i$.

Imaginary Numbers

An imaginary number is a number that can be written as the product of a real number and $i$.

Polynomial

A polynomial is an expression with at least one algebraic term, but which does not indicate division by a variable or contain variables with fractional exponents.

Roots

The roots of a function are the values of x that make y equal to zero.

Zero

The zeros of a function $f(x)$ are the values of $x$ that cause $f(x)$ to be equal to zero.

Zeroes

The zeroes of a function $f(x)$ are the values of $x$ that cause $f(x)$ to be equal to zero.

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