1. Use the Factor Theorem to find an integer root of the polynomial.
Let f(x)=2x3−7x+2.
Testing integer values: f(1)=2(1)3−7(1)+2=−3=0 f(−1)=2(−1)3−7(−1)+2=7=0 f(2)=2(2)3−7(2)+2=4=0 f(−2)=2(−2)3−7(−2)+2=−16+14+2=0
Since f(−2)=0, x=−2 is a root and (x+2) is a factor.
2. Factorise the cubic polynomial completely by finding the quadratic factor.
Let 2x3−7x+2=(x+2)(Ax2+Bx+C).
Comparing coefficients:
Coefficient of x3: A=2
Constant term: 2C=2⟹C=1
Coefficient of x2: B+2A=0⟹B+4=0⟹B=−4
So, 2x3−7x+2=(x+2)(2x2−4x+1)=0.
3. Solve the quadratic equation to find the remaining roots.
For 2x2−4x+1=0, using the quadratic formula: x=2(2)−(−4)±(−4)2−4(2)(1) x=44±16−8 x=44±8
4. Simplify the surd to the required form $a \pm b\sqrt{2}$.
x=44±22 x=1±212
The roots are x=−2 and x=1±212.