Chapter 4.5, Problem 22E

To determine

To approximate: The real zeros of $f\left(x\right)=x^4-5x^3+6x^2-x-2$ to the nearest tenth.

Answer to Problem 22E

The approximate zero is $x=-0.4$

The approximate zero is $x=3.3$

Explanation of Solution

Given information: $f\left(x\right)=x^4-5x^3+6x^2-x-2$

Calculation:

  $f\left(x\right)=x^4-5x^3+6x^2-x-2$

  

Since − 0.2944 is closer to 0 than 0.6875,

The approximate zero is $x=-0.4$

  

And since − 1.053 is closer to zero,

The other approximate zero is $x=3.3$