Engineering
Mathematics
Rolles Theorem
Question

Consider the polynomial   p(x) = 9x8 – 18x5 – 20x3 + 15. Then p(x) = 0 has

Exactly two real roots in [0, 51/5]

No real roots in [31/5, 51/5]

At least two real roots in [0, 31/3]

Exactly one real root in [0, 31/3]

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Solution

Let        g(x) = ∫ p(x)dx

                    = x(x8 – 3x5 – 5x3 + 15) + c

                    = x(x3 – 3) (x5 – 5) + c

Clearly  f(0) = f(31/3) = f(51/5) = c

∴        Rolle's theorem is applicable on g(x) in intervals [0, 31/3], [31/3,51/5] and in [0, 51/5]

∵        y = x1/x has a local maxima at x = e

∴        0 < 51/5 < 31/3

∴        There exists at least one 'c', each in [0, 51/5] and in [51/5, 31/3] for which g'(x) = 0 i.e.  p(x) = 0

∴        p(x) = 0 has at least two real roots in [0, 31/3].