Algebra II
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Watch Your P's and Q's
Posted on Dec 3, 2009
Topic: Polynomial Functions
Students use the Rational Zero Theorem to find all rational zeros of a polynomial.
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Activity Key Steps:
Students will investigate the Rational Zero Theorem. Students will identify the number of real roots by graphing, and use the graph to approximate the real roots.
Students will then use the Rational Zero Theorem to find all the potential rational zeros of the function. Using the calculator, they will use a list to calculate the y value for each of the potential zeros to find the actual rational zeros.
Students will use synthetic division to find other zeros, and then use the calculator to verify answers. By the end of this lesson, students will identify rational and real roots of polynomials, and discuss why polynomials would have no rational or real roots.