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Factor and Remainder Theorems Explained

The document explains the factor theorem, stating that if a polynomial P(x) is divisible by a linear factor x – c, then P(c) = 0, indicating that x – c is a factor of P(x). It also introduces the remainder theorem, which states that when a polynomial P(x) is divided by x – c, the remainder is P(c). Examples are provided to illustrate both the factor and remainder theorems.

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6 views2 pages

Factor and Remainder Theorems Explained

The document explains the factor theorem, stating that if a polynomial P(x) is divisible by a linear factor x – c, then P(c) = 0, indicating that x – c is a factor of P(x). It also introduces the remainder theorem, which states that when a polynomial P(x) is divided by x – c, the remainder is P(c). Examples are provided to illustrate both the factor and remainder theorems.

Uploaded by

kieubaogialinh130518
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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3

x
4.3 The factor theorem

If a polynomial P(x) is divided exactly by a linear factor x – c to give the polynomial Q(x), then

P(x) = ( x – c ) Q(x)

Subsituting x = c into this formulae gives P(c) = 0

Hence :

- If for a polynomial P(x), P(c) = 0 then x – c is a factor of P(x)

-> This is known as the factor theorem

The factor theorem can be extended to :

b
- If for a polynomial P(x) , P( ) = 0 then ax – b is a factor of P(x)
a
Example :

Consider the polynomial function f(x)= x2 +2x -15

The values of x for which f(x)=0 are called the roots of the function.

Solving the equation, assume f(x)=0, we get:

x2 +2x -15 =0

<=> x2 +5x – 3x -15 =0

<=> (x+5)(x-3)=0

<=> (x+5)=0 or (x-3)=0

<=> x = -5 or x = 3

So (x+5) and (x-3) are factors of x2 +2x -15

4.5 The remainder theorem

If a polynomial P(x) is divided by x – c to give the polynomial and a reminder R , then

P(x) = (x – c) Q(x) + R

Subsituting x = c into this formula gives P(c) = R

This leads to the remainder theorem :

If a polynomial P(x) is divided by x – c , the remainder is P(x)

The remainder theorem can be extended to


b
If a polynomial P(x) is divided by ax – b the remainder is P( ¿
a

Example :

Find the remainder when p(x): 3x5 − x4 + x3 − 4x2 + 2 is divided by q(x): x − 1.

We will substitute the zero of q(x) into the polynomial p(x) to find the remainder r. The zero of q(x) is x =
1.

So by remainder theorem, r = p(1)

= 3(1)5 - (1)4 + (1)3 - 4(1)2 + 2

=3-1+1-4+2

=1

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