Find a polynomial f(x) of degree 3 with real coefficients and the following zeros.

-1,3+i
f(x)=

complex roots always come in pairs which are conjugates of each other

so there are three roots, ...
-1, 3+i, and 3-i

f(x) = (x+1)(x - 3 - i)(x - 3 + i)
= (x+1)(x^2 -6x + 10)

If you have to expand it, do so.

Thanks

To find a polynomial with the given zeros, we can use the fact that complex roots always come in conjugate pairs.

Since -1 is a zero, we know that (x+1) is a factor of the polynomial.

Since 3+i is a zero, we know that (x - (3+i)) is a factor of the polynomial.

To find the factor for the conjugate root, we need to find the conjugate of 3+i, which is 3-i. Therefore, (x - (3-i)) is also a factor of the polynomial.

Multiplying these factors together, we get:

(x+1)(x - (3+i))(x - (3-i))

Expanding this expression, we get:

(x+1)(x - 3 - i)(x - 3 + i)

Let's simplify this expression:

(x+1)(x^2 - 3x - ix - 3x + 9 + 3i - ix + 3i + i^2)

Simplifying further, we get:

(x+1)(x^2 - 6x + 10)

Finally, expanding the expression, we get:

x^3 - 6x^2 + 10x + x^2 - 6x + 10

Combining like terms, we get:

x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 10

Therefore, the polynomial f(x) is:

f(x) = x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 10

To find a polynomial with the given zeros, we'll use the fact that if a polynomial has a complex zero, then its conjugate must also be a zero.

The given zeros are -1, 3+i, and their conjugate 3-i.

To find the polynomial, we multiply the factors corresponding to each zero together:

(x - (-1)) * (x - (3+i)) * (x - (3-i))

(x + 1) * (x - 3 - i) * (x - 3 + i)

Simplifying this expression gives us the polynomial:

f(x) = (x + 1)(x - 3 - i)(x - 3 + i)

To expand it further, we can use the FOIL method:

f(x) = (x^2 - 3x + ix - 3x + 9 - 3i - ix + 3i - i^2)(x + 1)

Simplifying this expression further:

f(x) = (x^2 - 6x + 9 - i^2)(x + 1)

Since i^2 = -1, we can simplify it even more:

f(x) = (x^2 - 6x + 9 + 1)(x + 1)

f(x) = (x^2 - 6x + 10)(x + 1)

Thus, the polynomial f(x) is:

f(x) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 10x + x^2 - 6x + 10

Combining like terms, we get:

f(x) = x^3 - 5x^2 + 4x + 10