Concept explainers
In this exercise, we lead you through the steps involved in the proof of the Rational Zero Theorem. Consider the polynomial equation
and let
a. Substitute
b. Why is p a factor of the left side of the equation?
c. Because p divides the left side, it must also divide the right side. However, because
d. Rewrite the equation from part (a) with all terms containing q on the left and the term that does not have a factor of q on the right. Use an argument that parallels parts (b) and (c) to conclude that q is a factor of an.
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COLLEGE ALGEBRA ESSENTIALS
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