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mathxyz

Member

From: Brooklyn, NY

Registered: 2024-02-24

Posts: 1,053

Is (x - c) a Factor?

Problem 20; page 62.

Use synthetic division to determine if x - c is a factor of the given polynomial.

After using synthetic division, I got this:

4x^3 + 8x^2 + x + 2 with remainder 0.

Because the remainder is 0, I can say that x - 2 is a factor of the given polynomial.

Correct?

Last edited by mathxyz (2024-05-21 09:07:10)

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,627

Re: Is (x - c) a Factor?

This is the first question where I've wanted to look up the question.  I haven't found that question on that page. ?? I checked some other posts and none of the page references work for me.  But it is Precalculus 10th edition by Sullivan.  It also says it's the Global edition. Could it be that all the pages are different?

Bob

Please say what the original dividend is.

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

mathxyz

Member

From: Brooklyn, NY

Registered: 2024-02-24

Posts: 1,053

Re: Is (x - c) a Factor?

This is the first question where I've wanted to look up the question.  I haven't found that question on that page. ?? I checked some other posts and none of the page references work for me.  But it is Precalculus 10th edition by Sullivan.  It also says it's the Global edition. Could it be that all the pages are different?

Bob

Please say what the original dividend is.

Problem 20 on page 62.

College Algebra by Sullivan.

What you see in my post is the answer not the question.

Question

4x^4 - 15x^2 - 4 ÷ x - 2

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,627

Re: Is (x - c) a Factor?

OK, I get it now. I was in the wrong textbook.

Your working is correct.

Factor theorem: put x=2 in 4x^4 - 15x^2 - 4  = 64 - 60 - 4 = 0   => x-2 is a factor.

Bob

---

Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

mathxyz

Member

From: Brooklyn, NY

Registered: 2024-02-24

Posts: 1,053

Re: Is (x - c) a Factor?

OK, I get it now. I was in the wrong textbook.

Your working is correct.

Factor theorem: put x=2 in 4x^4 - 15x^2 - 4  = 64 - 60 - 4 = 0   => x-2 is a factor.

Bob

Very good. Thank you for your time and dedication to the site.