Problem

Find the bounds of the zeros of the function f(x)=x37x2+14x8

Answer

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Answer

Step 6: According to the Lower Bound Theorem, if a number b is plugged into the function and the result is negative, then -b is a lower bound on the zeros of the function. Plugging in the factors from step 3, we find that -8 is a lower bound.

Steps

Step 1 :Step 1: Identify the leading coefficient and constant term. In this case, the leading coefficient is 1 and the constant term is -8.

Step 2 :Step 2: Create a list of factors of the constant term. The factors of -8 are [1,1,2,2,4,4,8,8].

Step 3 :Step 3: Divide each factor by the leading coefficient. Since the leading coefficient is 1, this does not change the list of factors.

Step 4 :Step 4: The factors from step 3 give the potential rational roots of the function. To find the bounds of the zeros, use the Upper Bound Theorem and the Lower Bound Theorem.

Step 5 :Step 5: According to the Upper Bound Theorem, if a number b is plugged into the function and the result is positive, then b is an upper bound on the zeros of the function. Plugging in the factors from step 3, we find that 8 is an upper bound.

Step 6 :Step 6: According to the Lower Bound Theorem, if a number b is plugged into the function and the result is negative, then -b is a lower bound on the zeros of the function. Plugging in the factors from step 3, we find that -8 is a lower bound.

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