Interpreting a Polynomial Sign Chart

Question

The sign chart for a polynomial function $$f(x)$$ is provided. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

| Interval   | Test Value | Sign of f(x) |
| ---------- | ---------- | ------------ |
| (-∞, -2)   | -3         | Negative     |
| (-2, 0)    | -1         | Positive     |
| (0, 3)     | 1          | Negative     |
| (3, ∞)     | 4          | Positive     |

Accepted Answer

When solving a strict inequality such as $$f(x) > 0$$, the zeros of $$f(x)$$ should always be included in the solution.

Answer

Finding the zeros of the polynomial is the first step in solving the inequality.

Answer

The sign chart shows that the sign of $$f(x)$$ is consistent within the intervals between zeros.

Answer

The multiplicity of a zero determines whether $$f(x)$$ changes sign when passing through that zero.

Interval	Test Value	Sign of f(x)
(-∞, -2)	-3	Negative
(-2, 0)	-1	Positive
(0, 3)	1	Negative
(3, ∞)	4	Positive

Interpreting a Polynomial Sign Chart

Question Leaderboard