Answer: The smallest zero (or root) is -3
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Explanation:
Replace p(x) with 0. Then use the zero product property to solve
p(x) = x(x-5)(x-2)(x+3)
0 = x(x-5)(x-2)(x+3)
x(x-5)(x-2)(x+3) = 0
x = 0 or x-5 = 0 or x-2 = 0 or x+3 = 0
x = 0 or x = 5 or x = 2 or x = -3
The four roots are
x = 0, x = 5, x = 2, and x = -3
these x values make p(x) equal to zero. The value x = -3 is the smallest of the list.
