Solve x³ - 4x² - 17x + 60 = 0
The solutions of x³ - 4x² - 17x + 60 = 0 are x = -4, 3, 5.
How to work it out
- 1
A cubic has up to 3 real roots. The rational root theorem says that any integer root of a polynomial with integer coefficients and leading coefficient 1 divides the constant term 60, so the candidates are ±1, ±2, ±3, ±4, ±5, ±6, ±10, ±12, ±15, ±20, ±30, ±60.
- 2
Test the candidates until one gives 0. x = 3 is a root. Divide by (x − 3) with synthetic division; the bottom row is the quotient and a 0 remainder.
- 3
What is left is the quadratic x² - x - 20 = 0. Solve it (factoring or the quadratic formula):
- 4
So the polynomial factors as
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ x^{3} - 4x^{2} - 17x + 60 = (x + 4)(x - 3)(x - 5) = 0 \]
\[ x^{3} - 4x^{2} - 17x + 60 = 0 \]
\[ \begin{array}{c|cccc} 3 & 1 & -4 & -17 & 60 \\ & 0 & 3 & -3 & -60 \\ \hline & 1 & -1 & -20 & 0 \end{array} \]
\[ x^{2} - x - 20 = 0 \Rightarrow x = 5,\ -4 \]
\[ x^{3} - 4x^{2} - 17x + 60 = (x + 4)(x - 3)(x - 5) \]Candidates tested (computed)
| Candidate x | p(x) | Root? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40 | no |
| -1 | 72 | no |
| 2 | 18 | no |
| -2 | 70 | no |
| 3 | 0 | root |
Vieta's formulas check the answer (computed)
| Relation | From the roots | From the coefficients |
|---|---|---|
| Sum of the roots | 4 | 4 |
| Product of the roots | -60 | -60 |
Questions
What are the roots of x³ - 4x² - 17x + 60 = 0?
The solutions of x³ - 4x² - 17x + 60 = 0 are x = -4, 3, 5.
How do you factor x³ - 4x² - 17x + 60?
(x + 4)(x − 3)(x − 5).
What is the sum of the roots?
4 (it equals −(-4) by Vieta's formulas).