find the x intercepts of this equation, show your work: 0=x^3+8x^2+13x+6

I have been stuck on this for a day.... its mind boggling.

First check for simple roots to avoid anything more complicated. We find that -1 is a root, so we can factor out (x + 1)

x^3+8x^2+13x+6 = (x+1) * (x^2 + 7x + 6)

We found (x^2 + 7x + 6) through long division.

(x^2 + 7x + 6) is easily factorable: (x + 1) and (x + 6)

Thus, x^3+8x^2+13x+6 = (x + 1) ^ 2 * (x + 6)

So the roots are -1, -1, and -6.

Thanks Slag!
I dont think I would have found that... went to a site, and they tried making me pay 19.99 discount price for the answer... lol

To fill in the "work" I left out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/.../Polynomial_long_division

Alternate approach:

http://en.wikipedia.org/...Roots_of_a_cubic_function

Nvm, didn't read all slag's post, his version is easier and less work. More common sense based

id have simply drawn an elephant over it and say i cant do the problem when theres an elephant in the way

I am with kemo i would just right DOH

factoring?
pfft.

i like this link:

http://www.coolmath.com/graphit/

just type in the equation and you can clearly see the intercepts without even doing math!

http://www.wolframalpha.com

Martian wishes he could do math!

here is an example of a post that reminds me that i dont know fluff about anything that has to do school or anything intelligent really. even with an explained answer. oh fluff i think i see a pattern forming.

do they teach long addition in college, if so would i get credit?anyone take a stab at how long it would take me to get in a position to even be able to take a class that would count as a credit?

1 + 1 = 3
that is all