The polynomial function y = x3 -3x2 + 16x - 48 has only one non-repeated x-intercept. What do you know about the complex zeros of the function?

A

The function has one imaginary zero.


B

The function has one real zero and two imaginary zeros.


C

The function has one real zero and one imaginary zero.


D

The function has one imaginary zero and two real zeros.

Verified Answer :

• First way to solve:
We'll manipulate the expression of the equation:

\(
y=x^3-3x^2+16x-48\\\\
y=x^2(x-3)+16(x-3)\\\\
y=(x-3)(x^2+16)\)


If we have y=0:

\(x-3=0~~~or~~~x^2+16=0\\\\
x=3~~~or~~~x^2=-16\\\\
x=3~~~or~~~x=\pm\sqrt{-16}\\\\
x=3~~~or~~~x=\pm4i
\)


Then, the function has one real zero (x=3) and two imaginary zeros (4i and -4i).

Answer: B


• Second way to solve:

The degree of the function is 3. So, the function has 3 complex zeros.

Since the coefficients of the function are reals, the imaginary roots are in a even number (a imaginary number and its conjugated)

The function "has only one non-repeated x-intercept", then there is only one real zero.

The number of zeros is 3 and there is 1 real zero. So, there are 2 imaginary zeros.

Answer: B.