Precalculus : Pre-Calculus

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Solve A Polynomial By Factoring

Solve the following polynomial for  by factoring:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The polynomial in the problem is given as follows:

Factoring this polynomial, we would get an expression of the form:

So we need to determine what a and b are. We know we need two factors that when multiplied equal -12, and when added equal -1. If we consider 2 and 6, we could get -12 but could not arrange them in any way that would make their sum equal to -1. We then look at 3 and 4, whose product can be -12 is one of them is negative, and whose sum can be -1 if -4 is added to 3. This tells us that the 4 must be the negative factor and the 3 must be the positive factor, so we get the following:

Example Question #2 : Solve A Polynomial By Factoring

Solve the following polynomial for  by factoring:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Factoring our polynomial, we can see we will have 2x and x at the beginning of each factor, while we need to find two numbers whose product is 15 and whose sum when multiplied by our leading terms and added is -11x. This gives us the following factorization:

So now we can set each term equal to 0 and solve for our two values of x:

Example Question #8 : Solving Polynomial Equations

Find the root(s) for the function:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The function  is in the form , and can be factorized.

Determine the values of  and .

Substitute this into the formula.

Set  to find all roots.

Example Question #9 : Solving Polynomial Equations

Solve the following equation:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, factor and then solve for x.

In order to factor we need all our variables and constants on one side. Add 18 to both sides to make our function in a form for which we can factor.

Now we want to find factors of 18 that when added together give us 9. Thus we get the following factored form.

Now set each factor equal to zero and solve for x.

Example Question #1 : Solve A Polynomial By Factoring

Find the zeros of the function .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the zeros of the function, you need to factor the equation. Using trial and error, you should arrive at: . Then set those expressions equal to  so that your roots are .

Example Question #1 : Solve A Polynomial By Factoring

Solve this polynomial by factoring if it is factorable:

Possible Answers:

Not factorable

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To factor this polynomial it is prudent to recognize that there will only be two factors since the highest power is .

Then ask what numbers multiply to equal postive 35.

Next, what numbers can multiply to equal positive 12.

Let's try 7 and 5 for the last term and 3 and 4 for the first term.

Be sure to put an "x" in the first term of each factor.  

Choose the signs based on what the polynomial calls for. In our case we choose negative signs to get positive 35.

Foil these two factors and we get .

Example Question #1 : Graph A Linear Function

Which of the following could be the function modeled by this graph?

Linearfxn

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Which of the following could be the function modeled by this graph?

Linearfxn

We can begin here by trying to identify a couple points  on the graph

We can see that it crosses the y-axis at 

Therefore, not only do we have a point, we have the y-intercept. This tells us that the equation of the line needs to have a  in it somewhere. Eliminate any option that do not have this feature.

Next, find the slope by counting up and over from the y-intercept to the next clear point.

It seems like the line goes up 5 and right 1 to the point 

This means we have a slope of 5, which means our equation must look like this:

 

Example Question #931 : Pre Calculus

Find the slope of the linear function

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For the linear function in point-slope form

The slope is equal to 

For this problem

we get

Example Question #932 : Pre Calculus

Find the slope of the linear function

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

For the linear function in point-slope form

The slope is equal to 

For this problem

we get

Example Question #1 : Graph A Linear Function

What is the y-intercept of the line below? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By definition, the y-intercept is the point on the line that crosses the y-axis. This can be found by substituting  into the equation. When we do this with our equation, 

Alternatively, you can remember  form, a general form for a line in which  is the slope and  is the y-intercept. 

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