How do you use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show that the polynomial function P(x) = x^4 + 2x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x + 3P(x)=x4+2x3+2x25x+3 has a zero in the interval [0, 1]?

1 Answer
Sep 26, 2015

You can't. P(x)P(x) is positive throughout that interval, In fact, that polynomial has no real zeros.

Explanation:

Here is the graph:

y=x^4+2x^3+2x^2-5x+3y=x4+2x3+2x25x+3

graph{y=x^4+2x^3+2x^2-5x+3 [-27.77, 37.2, -11.18, 21.25]}