Descartes' Rule of Signs

Subject Areas

Tools / Misc

bCalc

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scrnGC2: Calc Input

scrnGC3: f(x) Plot Input

scrnGC4: g(x) Plot Input

The inputs above will be hidden when the program finally gets launched. Currently, I am not hiding them even when you close the calculator. The purpose of the inputs is to help in debugging. This allows you to enter simple code on the calculator screen but the program translates the input to javascript math. Give it a try and see if you notice any obvious problems or have suggestions for improvements.

gCalc

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Select precision* of answer:

Select angle mode:

Enter expression to evaluate here:

The answer is shown below:

Enter function to be plotted:

f(x) =

Enter 2nd function, if needed:

g(x) =

Change or reset the x-y scaling below:

x_min =

x_max =

y_min =

y_max =

Accuracy Disclaimer

The javascript math object methods used for this calculator are not accurate for very large or very small numbers. In particular, the trigonometric functions may yield very small answers that should actually be zero or very large answers that should be infinite. This typically occurs at 90° or pi/2 intervals.

DO NOT USE WHERE HIGH PRECISION IS REQUIRED. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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Descartes' Rule of Signs

Pos	Neg	Im

Answer the following questions in the appropriate column of the table below.

What is the maximum number of positive roots of f(x)?

What is the maximum number of negative roots of f(x)?

What is the minimum number of imaginary roots of f(x)?

Answer correctly & all the other possible combinations of positive, negative & imaginary roots will be revealed.
Practice producing the entire table so that you will be able to fully understand Descartes' Rule of Signs.