Finding the Zeroes of Functions

Let\ h(x)=x^{3}+6x^{2}+5x.\ Find\ all\ the\ zeroes\ of\ the\ function.

x=\ ?\ when\ y=0

0=x^{3}+6x^{2}+5x

 

Step 1: factor out an “x”

0=x(x^{2}+6x+5)

 

Step 2: factor x^{2}+6x+5

(x+m)(x+n)=x^{2}+mx+nx+mn

m+n=6

mn=5

factor\ of\ 5:1,\ 5\ \ \ m=1,\ n=5

(x+1)(x+5)

 

Step 3: combine & solve

0=x(x+1)(x+5)

x=0,\ x+1=0,\ x+5=0

x+1-1=0-1\rightarrow x=-1

x+5-5=0-5\rightarrow x=-5

 

zeroes:\ 0,\ -1,\ -5