Pre-Algebra Examples

$f (x) = 5 x^{- 6}$

Step 1

Check the leading coefficient of the function. This number is the coefficient of the expression with the largest degree.

Largest Degree: $- 1$

Leading Coefficient: $5$

Step 2

The leading coefficient needs to be $1$ . If it is not, divide the expression by it to make it $1$ .

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Step 2.1

Move $x^{- 6}$ to the denominator using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$f (x) = \frac{5}{5 x^{6}}$

Step 2.2

Cancel the common factor of $5$ .

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Step 2.2.1

Cancel the common factor.

$f (x) = \frac{5}{5 x^{6}}$

Step 2.2.2

Rewrite the expression.

$f (x) = \frac{1}{x^{6}}$

Step 3

Create a list of the coefficients of the function except the leading coefficient of $1$ .

$0$

Step 4

There will be two bound options, $b_{1}$ and $b_{2}$ , the smaller of which is the answer. To calculate the first bound option, find the absolute value of the largest coefficient from the list of coefficients. Then add $1$ .

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Step 4.1

Arrange the terms in ascending order.

$b_{1} = 0$

Step 4.2

Add $0$ and $1$ .

$b_{1} = 1$

Step 5

To calculate the second bound option, sum the absolute values of the coefficients from the list of coefficients. If the sum is greater than $1$ , use that number. If not, use $1$ .

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Step 5.1

Arrange the terms in ascending order.

$b_{2} = 0, 1$

Step 5.2

The maximum value is the largest value in the arranged data set.

$b_{2} = 1$

Step 6

The bound options are the same.

Bound: $1$

Step 7

Every real root on $f (x) = 5 x^{- 6}$ lies between $- 1$ and $1$ .

$- 1$ and $1$