High School

4) Consider the quartic whose equation is [tex]y = x^4 + 3x^3 - 35x^2 - 39x + 70[/tex].

(a) Sketch a graph of this quartic on the axes below. Label its x-intercepts.

(b) Based on your graph from part (a), write the expression [tex]x^4 + 3x^3 - 35x^2 - 39x + 70[/tex] in its factored form.

Answer :

To solve this problem, we'll go through each part step by step.

### Part (a): Sketching the Graph

The given quartic equation is:

[tex]\[ y = x^4 + 3x^3 - 35x^2 - 39x + 70 \][/tex]

Steps to Sketch the Graph:

1. Determine the x-intercepts: These occur where [tex]\( y = 0 \)[/tex]. From the calculations, the x-intercepts are at [tex]\( x = -7, -2, 1, \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 5 \)[/tex]. These points are where the graph crosses the x-axis.

2. Identify the behavior at the x-intercepts:
- Since these intercepts are roots of a polynomial, at each root the graph crosses the x-axis.

3. Plot the x-intercepts on the graph:
- Mark points on the x-axis at [tex]\( x = -7, -2, 1, \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 5 \)[/tex].

4. Consider the end behavior:
- For a quartic equation, if the leading coefficient (coefficient of [tex]\( x^4 \)[/tex]) is positive, the ends of the graph will rise on both sides.

5. Sketch the curve smoothly connecting these intercepts and consistent with the end behavior.

### Part (b): Factored Form

The quartic equation can be expressed in its factored form based on the x-intercepts. Given the roots [tex]\( x = -7, -2, 1, \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 5 \)[/tex], the factored form of the polynomial is:

[tex]\[ (x - 5)(x - 1)(x + 2)(x + 7) \][/tex]

Here's how we derive this:

- Each x-intercept corresponds to a factor of the equation.
- To form the factors, subtract each root from [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
- For [tex]\( x = 5 \)[/tex], the factor is [tex]\( (x - 5) \)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( x = 1 \)[/tex], the factor is [tex]\( (x - 1) \)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( x = -2 \)[/tex], the factor is [tex]\( (x + 2) \)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( x = -7 \)[/tex], the factor is [tex]\( (x + 7) \)[/tex].

Thus, the expression is represented in its factored form:

[tex]\[ (x - 5)(x - 1)(x + 2)(x + 7) \][/tex]

This completes the solution to the problem. You have correctly identified the x-intercepts and expressed the polynomial in its factored form. Just remember to sketch your graph using these steps and you will have a successful representation of the quartic function.