Analyzing the Function
We are given the polynomial function:
f(x)=x5−20x3+50x+2
To understand the topography of this curve and determine the number of real roots, we must identify its turning points. We begin by calculating the first derivative:
f′(x)=5x4−60x2+50
Finding Critical Points
Setting the derivative to zero allows us to find the stationary points where the function changes direction:
5(x4−12x2+10)=0
By substituting
u=x2, we transform this into a quadratic equation:
u2−12u+10=0
Using the quadratic formula, we solve for
u:
Since
x2=u, we obtain four critical points:
Applying the Intermediate Value Theorem
The Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT) guarantees that if a continuous function changes sign over an interval, it must cross the x-axis within that interval. We evaluate the function at strategic points to observe these sign changes:
f(−5)=−3125+2500−250+2=−873 (Negative)
f(−4)=−1024+1280−200+2=58 (Positive)
f(−2)=−32+160−100+2=30 (Positive)
f(−1)=−1+20−50+2=−29 (Negative)
f(0)=2 (Positive)
f(1)=1−20+50+2=33 (Positive)
f(2)=32−160+100+2=−26 (Negative)
f(4)=1024−1280+200+2=−54 (Negative)
* f(5)=3125−2500+250+2=877 (Positive)
Conclusion
By observing the sign changes, we identify the existence of roots in the following intervals:
1. (−5,−4)
2. (−2,−1)
3. (−1,0)
4. (1,2)
5. (4,5)
Because a 5th-degree polynomial can have at most 5 real roots, and we have identified 5 distinct intervals containing sign changes, we conclude that the function has exactly 5 real roots.