x3+bx2+cx+d=0
In the equation above, b,c, and d are constants.
If the equation has roots −2,0, and 4, what is the value of b+c+d ?
Given the roots, we can write the equation of the polynomial in factored form:
a(x+2)(x−0)(x−4)=0
Expanding:
ax(x+2)(x−4)=0
ax(x2−2x−8)=0
a(x3−2x2−8x)=0
a must equal zero for this equation to match the given equation. Comparing our equation with the given:
x3+bx2+cx+d=x3−2x2−8x
b=−2,c=−8,d=0
b+c+d=−2+(−8)+0
=−10