Factor Theorem
TR LYNN
When a polynomial dividend f(x) is divided by a divisor d(x), we get a quotient q(x) and the remainder r(x)
dividend = divisor ⋅ quotient + remainder
f(x) = d(x) ∙ q(x) + r(x)
where r(x) = 0 or the degree of the remainder r(x) is less than the degree of the divisor d(x).
Divide 2𝑥 3 +𝑥 2 – 2x – 1 by x – 1 .
When 𝑎𝑥 3 + 𝑏𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 is divided by x-k ,
1. Divide 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 + 2 by x+2
2. Divide 3𝑥 4 − 2𝑥 2 + 4 is divided by x+1
3. Divide 3𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 150 is divided by x-4
4. Divide 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 35 is divided by x-5
5.Divide 2𝑥 3 + 6𝑥 2 + 29 is divided by x+4.
6. Divide 𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 3 − 11𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 17 is divided by x+2.
7.Divide 2𝑥 3 − 5𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 15 is divided by x-3 using (a) long division and (b) synthetic division.
If a polynomial f(x) is divided by x – k , then the remainder is f(k).
Find the remainder when 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 is divided by x – 3 , by using the remainder theorem
Let f(x) = 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 1 .
When f(x) is divided by x – 3 ,
the remainder = f(3)
= 4(3)2 +3(3) − 1
= 36 + 9 – 1
= 45
Find the remainder when 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 is divided by 2x – 3 , by using the remainder theorem
Let f(x) = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 .
When f(x) is divided by 2x – 3 ,
3
the remainder = f(2)
3 3
= 2(2)2 +5(2) − 3
9 15
= 2+ –3
2
=9
When f(x)= 2𝑥 3 − 7𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑥 + 5 is divided by 2x-1, the remainder is 1. Find the value of p.
If a the remainder is zero when the polynomial f(x) is divided by x-k , then the divisor x - k is a factor of f(x).
1. Show that x – 2 is a factor of f(x) = 2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 27𝑥 − 18.
f(x) =2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 27𝑥 − 18.
f(2) =2(2)4 + 7(2)3 − 4 2 2 − 27(2) − 18.
= 32 + 56 – 16 – 54 - 18
= 88 – 88
=0
x – 2 is a factor of f(x).
2. Find what value of c must have in order that x – 5 may be a factor of 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑐.
Let f(x) = 𝑥 3 + 4𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 𝑐.
x – 5 is a factor of f(x).
f(5) = 0
(5)3 +4(5)2 −3(5) + 𝑐 = 0
125 + 100 – 15 + c = 0
210 + c = 0
c = - 210
1. (x+3) is a factor of 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + kx + 6. Find the value of k.
1. (x+3) is a factor of 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + kx + 6. Find the value of k.
2. Given that f(x) = 2𝑥 3 − 17𝑥 2 − 58x + 33.
(a) show that f(11) = 0. (b) hence fully factorise f(x).
2. Given that f(x) = 2𝑥 3 − 17𝑥 2 − 58x + 33.
(a) show that f(11) = 0. (b) hence fully factorise f(x).
3. (a)Show that (x+3) is a factor of of 2𝑥 3 + 13𝑥 2 + 27x + 18.
(b) Hence factorise completely 2𝑥 3 + 13𝑥 2 + 27x + 18.
3. (a)Show that (x+3) is a factor of of 2𝑥 3 + 13𝑥 2 + 27x + 18.
(b) Hence factorise completely 2𝑥 3 + 13𝑥 2 + 27x + 18.
4. (a) Show that (x-1) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 - 18x + 5.
(b) Hence, or otherwise, completely factorise 6𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 - 18x + 5.
4. (a) Show that (x-1) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 - 18x + 5.
(b) Hence, or otherwise, completely factorise 6𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 - 18x + 5.
5. (x+3) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 + kx + 6, where k is a constant.
(a) Work out the value of k. (b) Using this value of k, fully factorise 6𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 + kx + 6.
5. (x+3) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 + kx + 6, where k is a constant.
(a) Work out the value of k. (b) Using this value of k, fully factorise 6𝑥 3 + 11𝑥 2 + kx + 6.
6. (x+2) is a factor of 4𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 + kx - 18. Find the value of k.
6. (x+2) is a factor of 4𝑥 3 + 8𝑥 2 + kx - 18. Find the value of k.
7. Given that (x-2) is a factor of 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + ax + 4, where a is a constant, find the value of a.
7. Given that (x-2) is a factor of 3𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 + ax + 4, where a is a constant, find the value of a.
8. f(x) = 14𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 69x + 10.
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (x+2) is a factor of f(x).
f(x) = (x+2) ( 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) where a, b and c are integers.
(b) Find the value of a , the value of b and the value of c.
8. f(x) = 14𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 69x + 10.
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (x+2) is a factor of f(x).
f(x) = (x+2) ( 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) where a, b and c are integers.
(b) Find the value of a , the value of b and the value of c.
9. (x+3) is a factor of 2𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 + kx - 30. Find the value of the constant k.
9. (x+3) is a factor of 2𝑥 3 + 7𝑥 2 + kx - 30. Find the value of the constant k.
10. (x+2) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + ax + 12, where a is a constant.
(a) Show that a = -4. (b) Factorise completely 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 - 4x + 12.
10. (x+2) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + ax + 12, where a is a constant.
(a) Show that a = -4. (b) Factorise completely 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 - 4x + 12.
11. (a) Use the factor theorem to show that (2x-1) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 23𝑥 2 - 5x - 4.
6𝑥 3 +23𝑥 2 − 5x − 4
(b) Hence, solve 2𝑥−1
= 0 , show clear algebraic working.
11. (a) Use the factor theorem to show that (2x-1) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 23𝑥 2 - 5x - 4.
6𝑥 3 +23𝑥 2 − 5x − 4
(b) Hence, solve 2𝑥−1
= 0 , show clear algebraic working.
12.(a)Use the factor theorem to show that (x-5) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 60 .
(b) Hence factorise completely 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 60.
12.(a)Use the factor theorem to show that (x-5) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 60 .
(b) Hence factorise completely 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 60.
1
13. One solution of the equation 6𝑥 3 + 17𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 is − 2 . Find the other 2 solutions of
the equation. Show clear algebraic working.
1
13. One solution of the equation 6𝑥 3 + 17𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 is − 2 . Find the other 2 solutions of
the equation. Show clear algebraic working.
14. Given that (x-5) is a factor of 3𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 10 where k is a constant,
(a) use the factor theorem to show that k = 23.
(b) Solve the equation 3𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 + 10 = 0. Show clear algebraic working.
14. Given that (x-5) is a factor of 3𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 10 where k is a constant,
(a) use the factor theorem to show that k = 23.
(b) Solve the equation 3𝑥 3 − 20𝑥 2 + 23𝑥 + 10 = 0. Show clear algebraic working.
15. f(x) = 2𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 − 9 .
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (2x-1) is not a factor of f(x).
𝑓(𝑥)
(b) Express 2𝑥+1 in the form (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 +𝑏, where a and b are integers to be found.
(c) Hence find the exact solutions of f(x) = 0.
15. f(x) = 2𝑥 3 + 9𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 − 9 .
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (2x-1) is not a factor of f(x).
𝑓(𝑥)
(b) Express 2𝑥+1 in the form (𝑥 + 𝑎)2 +𝑏, where a and b are integers to be found.
(c) Hence find the exact solutions of f(x) = 0.
16. (a) Use the factor theorem to show that (x+1) is a factor of 18𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 10 .
(b) Factorise fully 18𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 10 . Show clear algebraic working.
16. (a) Use the factor theorem to show that (x+1) is a factor of 18𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 10 .
(b) Factorise fully 18𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 10 . Show clear algebraic working.
17. (x+2) is a factor of 6𝑥 3 + 31𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 + 30.
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that k = 53. (b) Factorise fully 6𝑥 3 + 31𝑥 2 + 53𝑥 + 30.
18. Given that (x+k) is a factor of 𝑥 3 +4𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 + 𝑘 where k is a non-zero constant , find
the possible values of k.
19. f(x) = 12𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 14 .
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (3x-4) is not a factor of f(x).
g(x) = f(x) –2.
(b) Factorise fully g(x) . Show clear algebraic working.
19. f(x) = 12𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 + 14 .
(a) Use the factor theorem to show that (3x-4) is not a factor of f(x).
g(x) = f(x) – 2.
(b) Factorise fully g(x) . Show clear algebraic working.
20. Given that (x – 2) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞 .
(a) Write down an equation in p and q.
Given that (x+3) is also a factor of 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞,
(b) Write down is a second equation in p and q.
(c) Solve your two equations to find the value of p and the value of q.
20. Given that (x – 2) is a factor of 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞 .
(a) Write down an equation in p and q.
Given that (x+3) is also a factor of 𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑞,
(b) Write down is a second equation in p and q.
(c) Solve your two equations to find the value of p and the value of q.
21. f(x) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 − 24 , where k is a constant.
Given that (x+1) is a factor of f(x).
(a) find the value of k.
(b) Using the value of k found in part (a) , completely factorise f(x).
22. f(x) = 3𝑥 3 + 𝑎𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 + 𝑏 , where a and b are integers.
(x+4) is a factor of f(x).
(x-2) is a factor of f(x).
(a) Use the factor theorem to find the value of a and the value of b.
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One solution of the equation 8𝑥 3 − 18𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 = 0 is 2,
(b) Without using a calculator and showing all your working , find the other 2 solutions of the equation. Give your answers in
exact form.
