Which polynomial expression in factored form has 2 as a leading coefficient with −1, 3, and −5 as zeros?

a) 2(x + 1)(x − 3)(x + 5)
b) 2(x − 1)(x + 3)(x − 5)
c) 2x(x + 1)(x − 3)(x + 5)
d) 2x(x − 1)(x + 3)(x − 5)

First, lets find the factors that take the form (x-a), where a is the zero.

-1 is a zero. Thus, , aka , is a factor.

3 is a zero. Thus, is a factor.

-5 is a zero. Thus, , aka , is a factor.

Matching these factors with the possible answer choices, we can safely see that either A or C is possible.

x is not a factor because that means the polynomial will have a zero of 0, which is not stated in the question. This eliminates C and D.

This leaves us with answer choice A.

in mathematics, a function is a relationship between two variables such that the value of one of the variables, called the dependent variable, is determined by the value of the other variable, called the independent variable. there is a specific term we use to describe the set of independent variables of a function.