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jmc

algebra intermediate

Problem

The graph of the polynomial



has five distinct -intercepts, one of which is at . Which of the following coefficients cannot be zero?

Solution
Since Let the other -intercepts be and so Note that Since the -intercepts are all distinct, and are all nonzero, so must be nonzero. Thus, the answer is

Any of the other coefficients can be zero. For example, consider or
Final answer
\text{(D)}