ERIC Number: EJ867339
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0819-4564
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Graphical Solution of Polynomial Equations
Grishin, Anatole
Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, v23 n2 p18-25 2009
Graphing utilities, such as the ubiquitous graphing calculator, are often used in finding the approximate real roots of polynomial equations. In this paper the author offers a simple graphing technique that allows one to find all solutions of a polynomial equation (1) of arbitrary degree; (2) with real or complex coefficients; and (3) possessing both real and complex roots. The technique uses a graphing tool endowed with the ability to graph relations directly, without resorting to the decomposition of these relations into sets of functions. The author explains the technique, illustrating by solving a quadratic equation with complex coefficients and with no real roots. Finally, the author illustrates the technique by solving a variety of higher-degree polynomial equations, with real and complex coefficients, and with real and complex roots. (Contains 8 figures.)
Descriptors: Graphing Calculators, Equations (Mathematics), Graphs, Teaching Methods, Mathematical Formulas, Algebra, Mathematical Applications, Foreign Countries, Mathematics Education
Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT). GPO Box 1729, Adelaide 5001, South Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: office@aamt.edu.au; Web site: http://www.aamt.edu.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A