Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polynomial Functions
A polynomial function is a mathematical expression involving a sum of powers in one or more variables multiplied by coefficients. The degree of a polynomial is determined by the highest power of the variable. In this case, a degree 3 polynomial will have the general form ƒ(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d, where a, b, c, and d are real coefficients.
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Multiplicity of Roots
Multiplicity refers to the number of times a particular root appears in a polynomial. A root with multiplicity 3 means that the polynomial can be expressed as (x + 3)³, indicating that -3 is a root that contributes three times to the polynomial's behavior. This affects the shape of the graph, causing it to touch the x-axis at -3 without crossing it.
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Evaluating Polynomial Functions
Evaluating a polynomial function involves substituting a specific value for the variable and calculating the result. In this problem, we need to ensure that the polynomial satisfies the condition ƒ(3) = 36, meaning when we substitute x = 3 into our polynomial, the output must equal 36. This condition helps in determining the coefficients of the polynomial.
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