How do you find a third degree polynomial given roots -11 and 3+i3+i?

1 Answer
Oct 20, 2016

The third-degree polynomial with roots -11 and 3 + i3+i is
f(x) = x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 10f(x)=x35x2+4x+10.

Explanation:

Complex roots are always in pairs, and the pairs are conjugates. Therefore, even though you are only given two roots, the polynomial actually has three roots. The third root is 3 - i3i.

Remember that a root is represented by kk, and that the factor which yields a root is in the form x - kxk. Therefore, to write the polynomial which has the given roots and a leading coefficient of 11, simply set up the roots in factor form and multiply them.

f(x) = (x - -1)(x - [3 + i])(x - [3 - i])f(x)=(x1)(x[3+i])(x[3i])
f(x) = (x + 1)(x - 3 - i)(x - 3 + i)f(x)=(x+1)(x3i)(x3+i)
f(x) = (x + 1)(x^2 - 3x +ix - 3x + 9 - 3i - ix + 3i - i^2)f(x)=(x+1)(x23x+ix3x+93iix+3ii2)
f(x) = (x + 1)(x^2 - 6x + 9 +1)f(x)=(x+1)(x26x+9+1)
f(x) = (x + 1)(x^2 - 6x + 10)f(x)=(x+1)(x26x+10)
f(x) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 10x + x^2 - 6x + 10f(x)=x36x2+10x+x26x+10
f(x) = x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 10f(x)=x35x2+4x+10