POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS Solving Polynomial Inequalities (Page 1 of 2)

Solving a polynomial inequality is nearly the same as solving an equation. In fact, we solve the equation first using the x-intercept method, then analyze the graph to determine the solution set of the inequality.

To solve the inequality 9x^5-12x^4-5x^3+66x^2-76x+24 > 0, first replace the inequality symbol with an equal sign: 9x^5-12x^4-5x^3+66x^2-76x+24 = 0. This equation was solved in the previous example using CALC zero and the real solutions were determined to be x = -2 and x = 2/3. The graph of the function represented by the left side of the equation, f(x) = 9x^5-12x^4-5x^3+66x^2-76x+24, is shown (the function should currently be entered as Y1).

WINDOW key....

GRAPH key.

 Calculator screen image. Calculator screen image.
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