Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether g(x) is a factor of p(x) in each of the following cases:
Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether g(x) is a factor of p(x) in each of the following cases:
(i) p(x) = 2x3 + x2 - 2x - 1, g(x) = x + 1
(ii) p(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 3x + 1, g(x) = x + 2
(iii) p(x) = x3 - 4 x2 + x + 6, g(x) = x - 3
Answer
(i) If g(x) = x + 1 is a factor of given polynomial p(x), p(- 1) must be zero.
p(x) = 2x3 + x2 - 2x - 1
p(- 1) = 2(-1)3 + (-1)2 - 2(-1) - 1
= 2(- 1) + 1 + 2 - 1 = 0
Hence, g(x) = x + 1 is a factor of given polynomial.
(ii) If g(x) = x + 2 is a factor of given polynomial p(x), p(- 2) must be 0.
p(x) = x3 +3x2 + 3x + 1
p(-2) = (-2)3 + 3(- 2)2 + 3(- 2) + 1
= -8 + 12 - 6 + 1
= -1
As, p(-2) ≠ 0
Hence g(x) = x + 2 is not a factor of given polynomial.
(iii) If g(x) = x - 3 is a factor of given polynomial p(x), p(3) must be 0.
p(x) = x3 - 4x2 + x + 6
p(3) = (3)3 - 4(3)2 + 3 + 6
= 27 - 36 + 9 = 0
Therefore,, g(x) = x - 3 is a factor of given polynomial.
