5
QuizMultiple Choice

The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

Question 5 • [INMT3] Integrated Math 3 Sem 1 (26-27)

Two roots of a third degree polynomial function f(x) are –4 and 4. Which statement describes the number and nature of all roots for this function?

Answer
A
f(x) has three imaginary roots.
B
f(x) has three real roots.
C
f(x) has two real roots and two imaginary roots.
D
f(x) has three real roots and one imaginary root.

Explanation

A third-degree polynomial has three roots when counted with multiplicity. Since its coefficients are real and two roots are the real numbers −4 and 4, the remaining root must also be real: any nonreal roots of a real polynomial occur in conjugate pairs, which cannot fit as just one remaining root. Therefore, f(x) has three real roots.

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