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A polynomial function 
M is defined as

M(x)=(2x-3)(x^(2)+3x+10)
If 
M(a)=0 for some real number 
a, then what is the value of 
a ?

A polynomial function M M is defined as\newlineM(x)=(2x3)(x2+3x+10) M(x)=(2 x-3)\left(x^{2}+3 x+10\right) \newlineIf M(a)=0 M(a)=0 for some real number a a , then what is the value of a a ?

Full solution

Q. A polynomial function M M is defined as\newlineM(x)=(2x3)(x2+3x+10) M(x)=(2 x-3)\left(x^{2}+3 x+10\right) \newlineIf M(a)=0 M(a)=0 for some real number a a , then what is the value of a a ?
  1. Given Polynomial Function: We are given the polynomial function M(x)=(2x3)(x2+3x+10)M(x) = (2x-3)(x^2+3x+10). To find the value of aa such that M(a)=0M(a) = 0, we need to set the function equal to zero and solve for xx.
  2. Factors of M(x): The function M(x) is the product of two factors: (2x3)(2x-3) and (x2+3x+10)(x^2+3x+10). For the product to be zero, at least one of the factors must be zero.
  3. Setting Linear Factor to Zero: First, let's set the linear factor equal to zero and solve for x: 2x3=02x - 3 = 0.\newlineAdding 33 to both sides gives us 2x=32x = 3.\newlineDividing both sides by 22 gives us x=32x = \frac{3}{2}.
  4. Solving the Quadratic Factor: Now, let's consider the quadratic factor: x2+3x+10=0x^2 + 3x + 10 = 0.\newlineThis is a quadratic equation, and we can attempt to solve it using the quadratic formula, factoring, or completing the square. However, we can also check the discriminant (b24ac)(b^2 - 4ac) to see if there are real solutions. For this quadratic, a=1a = 1, b=3b = 3, and c=10c = 10.
  5. Checking the Discriminant: The discriminant is b24ac=(3)24(1)(10)=940=31b^2 - 4ac = (3)^2 - 4(1)(10) = 9 - 40 = -31.\newlineSince the discriminant is negative, there are no real solutions to the quadratic equation x2+3x+10=0x^2 + 3x + 10 = 0.
  6. Real Solutions for M(x): Since the quadratic factor does not have real solutions, the only real solution for M(x) = 00 comes from the linear factor 2x3=02x - 3 = 0, which we solved as x=32x = \frac{3}{2}.\newlineTherefore, the value of aa for which M(a)=0M(a) = 0 is a=32a = \frac{3}{2}.

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