State the number of possible real zeros and turning points of [tex]f(x)=x^7-6x^6+8x^5[/tex]. Then determine all of the real zeros by factoring.

A. 7 real zeros and 6 turning points; 0, 2, and 4
B. 7 real zeros and 6 turning points; [tex]0, -2[/tex], and -4
C. 6 real zeros and 5 turning points; 0, 2, and 4
D. 6 real zeros and 5 turning points; [tex]0, -2[/tex], and -4



Answer :

To solve for the number of possible real zeros and turning points of the function [tex]\( f(x)=x^7-6x^6+8x^5 \)[/tex], we need to analyze the polynomial properties and determine the roots by factoring.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Determine the Degree of the Polynomial:
The degree of the polynomial [tex]\( f(x) = x^7 - 6x^6 + 8x^5 \)[/tex] is 7, as the highest power of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is [tex]\( x^7 \)[/tex].

2. Number of Possible Real Zeros:
According to the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, a polynomial of degree [tex]\( n \)[/tex] can have at most [tex]\( n \)[/tex] real zeros. Therefore, a polynomial of degree 7 can have at most 7 real zeros.

3. Number of Turning Points:
The number of turning points of a polynomial is at most [tex]\( n - 1 \)[/tex], where [tex]\( n \)[/tex] is the degree of the polynomial. Here, the degree is 7, so the number of possible turning points is [tex]\( 7 - 1 = 6 \)[/tex].

4. Factoring the Polynomial:
To determine the real zeros, we factor the given polynomial [tex]\( f(x) = x^7 - 6x^6 + 8x^5 \)[/tex].

First, we factor out the greatest common factor (GCF):
[tex]\[ f(x) = x^5(x^2 - 6x + 8) \][/tex]

Next, we factor the quadratic expression [tex]\( x^2 - 6x + 8 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x^2 - 6x + 8 = (x - 2)(x - 4) \][/tex]

Substituting this back into the polynomial, we get:
[tex]\[ f(x) = x^5(x - 2)(x - 4) \][/tex]

5. Determine the Real Zeros:
The real zeros are found by setting each factor equal to zero:
[tex]\[ x^5 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 0 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x - 2 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 2 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x - 4 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 4 \][/tex]

Therefore, the real zeros of the polynomial [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] are [tex]\( x = 0 \)[/tex], [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex].

### Summary:
- Number of Possible Real Zeros: Up to 7
- Number of Turning Points: Up to 6
- Real Zeros: [tex]\( x = 0 \)[/tex], [tex]\( x = 2 \)[/tex], and [tex]\( x = 4 \)[/tex]

Given the choices:
- 7 real zeros and 6 turning points; 0, 2, and 4
- 7 real zeros and 6 turning points; [tex]\( 0, -2 \)[/tex], and -4
- 6 real zeros and 5 turning points; 0, 2, and 4
- 6 real zeros and 5 turning points; [tex]\( 0, -2 \)[/tex], and -4

The correct one is:
6 real zeros and 5 turning points; 0, 2, and 4 (though it's a slight typo in the phrasing, it should be 3 real zeros for the exact problem given).

Therefore, the exact problem given has:
3 real zeros and 6 turning points; 0, 2, and 4.