NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1

ALGEBRA II

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

Student Outcomes
 Students know and apply the remainder theorem and understand the role zeros play in the theorem.

Lesson Notes
In this lesson, students are primarily working on exercises that lead them to the concept of the remainder theorem, the
connection between factors and zeros of a polynomial, and how this relates to the graph of a polynomial function.
Students should understand that for a polynomial function P and a number a , the remainder on division by x−a is the
value P(a) and extend this to the idea that P(a)=0 if and only if (x−a) is a factor of the polynomial (A-APR.B.2).
There should be plenty of discussion after each exercise.

Classwork
Exercises 1–3 (5 minutes)
Assign different groups of students one of the three problems from this exercise. Scaffolding:
Have them complete their assigned problem, and then have a student from each
If students are struggling, replace the
group put their solution on the board. Having the solutions readily available allows
polynomials in Exercises 2 and 3 with
students to start looking for a pattern without making the lesson too tedious.
easier polynomial functions.

Exercises 1–3
Examples:
2
2 g ( x )=x −7 x−11
1. Consider the polynomial function f ( x )=3 x +8 x−4.
a. Divide by x +1. b. Find g(−1).
a. Divide f by x−2. b. Find f (2).
f ( x ) 3 x 2 +8 x−4 f (2)=24 3
= (x−8)− g(−1)=−3
x−2 x−2 x +1
24
¿(3 x +14)+
x−2 h ( x )=2 x 2+ 9
a. Divide by x−3 . b. Find h(3) .
3 2
2. Consider the polynomial function g ( x )=x −3 x + 6 x +8 .
a. Divide g by x +1. b. Find g(−1).
g ( x ) x 3−3 x 2+6 x +8 g(−1)=−2
=
x+1 x+ 1
2 2
¿(x −4 x +10)−
x+1

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

3. Consider the polynomial function h ( x )=x 3 +2 x −3.

a. Divide h by x−3. b. Find h(3) .

h ( x ) x 3 +2 x−3 h(3)=30
=
x−3 x−3
2 30
¿(x +3 x +11)+
x−3

Discussion (7 minutes)
 What is f (2)? What is g(−1)? What is h(3) ?
 f (2)=24 ; g(−1)=−2 ; h(3)=30
 Looking at the results of the quotient, what pattern do we see?
MP.8  The remainder is the value of the function.
 Stating this in more general terms, what do we suspect about the connection between the remainder from
dividing a polynomial P by x−a and the value of P(a) ?
 The remainder found after dividing P by x−a will be the same value as P(a) .
13
 Why would this be? Think about the quotient . We could write this as 13=4 ∙ 3+1, where 4 is the
3
quotient and 1 is the remainder.
 Apply this same principle to Exercise 1. Write the following on the board, and talk through it:

f ( x ) 3 x 2 +8 x−4 24
= =( 3 x+14 ) +
x−2 x−2 x−2
 How can we rewrite f using the equation above?
 Multiply both sides of the equation by x−2 to get f ( x )= ( 3 x +14 )( x−2 )+ 24.
 In general we can say that if you divide polynomial P by x−a , then the remainder must be a number; in fact,
there is a (possibly non-zero degree) polynomial function q such that the equation,

P ( x )=q ( x ) ∙ ( x−a ) +r
↑ ↑
quotient remainder
is true for all x .
 What is P(a) ?
 P ( a ) =q ( a )( a−a )+ r=q ( a ) ∙0+ r=0+ r=r
We have just proven the remainder theorem, which is formally stated in the box below.

REMAINDER THEOREM: Let P be a polynomial function in x , and let a be any real number. Then there
exists a unique polynomial function q such that the equation
P(x )=q (x)(x−a)+ P (a)
is true for all x . That is, when a polynomial is divided by (x−a) , the remainder is the value of the
Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem
polynomial evaluated at a . 208
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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

 Restate the remainder theorem in your own words to your partner.

While students are doing this, circulate and informally assess student understanding before asking students to share
their responses as a class.

Exercise 4 (5 minutes)
Students may need more guidance through this exercise, but allow them to struggle with it
Scaffolding:
first. After a few students have found k , share various methods used.
Challenge early finishers with
this problem:
Exercise 4–6
Given that x +1 and x−1 are
4. Consider the polynomial P ( x )=x 3+ k x2 + x +6 . factors of
a. Find the value of k so that x +1 is a factor of P . 4 3
P ( x )=x +2 x −49 x −2 x+ 48
2

x +1 to be a factor of P, the remainder must be zero. Hence, since

In order for , write P in factored form.
x +1=x−(−1), we must have P (−1 )=0 so that 0=−1+k −1+ 6. Answer:
Then k =−4 . ( x +1 ) ( x−1 )( x +8 ) ( x−6 )

b. Find the other two factors of P for the value of k found in part (a).
P ( x )=( x+ 1 ) ( x 2−5 x +6 ) =( x +1 )( x−2 )( x−3 )

Discussion (7 minutes)
 Remember that for any polynomial function Pand real number a , the remainder theorem says that there
exists a polynomial q so that P ( x )=q ( x ) ( x−a ) + P(a).
 What does it mean if a is a zero of a polynomial P ?
 P ( a ) =0
 So what does the remainder theorem say if a is a zero of P ?
 There is a polynomial q so that P ( x )=q ( x ) ( x−a ) +0 .
 How does ( x−a ) relate to P if a is a zero of P ?
 If a is a zero of P , then (x−a) is a factor of P .
 How does the graph of a polynomial function y=P ( x ) correspond to the equation of the polynomial P?
 The zeros are the x -intercepts of the graph of P . If we know a zero of P, then we know a factor of P.
 If we know all of the zeros of a polynomial function, and their multiplicities, do we know the equation of the
function?
 Not necessarily. It is possible that the equation of the function contains some factors that cannot factor
into linear terms.
We have just proven the factor theorem, which is a direct consequence of the remainder theorem.

FACTOR THEOREM: Let P be a polynomial function in x , and let a be any real number. If a is a zero of P
then (x−a) is a factor of P .
Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem
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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

 Give an example of a polynomial function with zeros of multiplicity 2 at 1 and 3 .

2 2
 P ( x )=( x−1 ) ( x −3 )
 Give another example of a polynomial function with zeros of multiplicity 2 at 1 and 3.
2 2 2 2 2
 Q ( x )=( x−1 ) ( x −3 ) (x +1) or R ( x )=4 ( x−1 ) ( x−3 )
 If we know the zeros of a polynomial, does the factor theorem tell us the exact formula for the polynomial?
 No. But, if we know the degree of the polynomial and the leading coefficient, we can often deduce the
equation of the polynomial.

Scaffolding:
Exercise 5 (8 minutes)
Encourage students who are
As students work through this exercise, circulate the room to make sure students have struggling to work on part (a)
made the connection between zeros, factors, and x -intercepts. Question students to see using two methods:
if they can verbalize the ideas discussed in the prior exercise.
 by finding P(1), and
 by dividing P by x−1.
4 3 2
5. Consider the polynomial P ( x )=x +3 x −28 x −36 x+ 144. This helps to reinforce the
a. Is 1 a zero of the polynomial P ? ideas discussed in Exercises 1
No
and 2.

b. Is x +3 one of the factors of P?

Yes; P (−3 )=81−81−252+108+ 144=0.

c. The graph of P is shown to the right. What are the zeros of P?

Approximately −6 ,−3 ,2, and 4 .

d. Write the equation of P in factored form.

P(x )=(x +6)( x +3)(x−2)(x−4)

 Is 1 a zero of the polynomial P ? How do you know?

 No. P(1)≠ 0.
 What are two ways to determine the value of P(1)?
 Substitute 1 for x into the function or divide P by x−1. The remainder will be P(1).
 Is x +3 a factor of P ? How do you know?
 Yes. Because P(−3)=0, then when P is divided by x +3, the remainder is 0 , which means that x +3
is a factor of the polynomial P .
 How do you find the zeros of P from the graph?
 The zeros are the x -intercepts of the graph.

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

 How do you find the factors?

 By using the zeros: if x=a is a zero, then x−a is a factor of P .
 Expand the expression in part (d) to see that it is indeed the original polynomial function.

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

Exercise 6 (6 minutes)
Allow students a few minutes to work on the problem and then share results.

6. Consider the graph of a degree 5 polynomial shown to the right, with x- intercepts
−4, −2, 1, 3, and 5.
a. Write a formula for a possible polynomial function that the graph
represents using c as the constant factor.

P ( x )=c ( x + 4 ) (x +2)(x−1) ( x−3 )( x−5 )

b. Suppose the y -intercept is −4. Find the value of c so that the

graph of P has y -intercept −4.
1
P ( x )= ( x+ 4 ) (x+ 2)(x−1) ( x−3 ) ( x−5 )
30

 What information from the graph was needed to write the equation?
 The x -intercepts were needed to write the factors.
 Why would there be more than one polynomial function possible?
 Because the factors could be multiplied by any constant and still produce a graph with the same
x -intercepts.
 Why can’t we find the constant factor c by just knowing the zeros of the polynomial?
 The zeros only determine where the graph crosses the x -axis, not how the graph is stretched vertically.
The constant factor can be used to vertically scale the graph of the polynomial function that we found
to fit the depicted graph.

Closing (2 minutes)
Have students summarize the results of the remainder theorem and the factor theorem.
 What is the connection between the remainder when a polynomial P is divided by x−a and the value of
P(a) ?
 They are the same.
 If x−a is factor, then _________.
 The number a is a zero of P .
 If P(a)=0, then ____________.
 (x−a) is a factor of P.

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

Lesson Summary

REMAINDER THEOREM: Let P be a polynomial function in x , and let a be any real number. Then there exists a
unique polynomial function q such that the equation

P(x )=q (x)(x−a)+ P (a)

x.
is true for all That is, when a polynomial is divided by (x−a) , the remainder is the value of the polynomial
evaluated at a .

FACTOR THEOREM: Let P be a polynomial function in x , and let a be any real number. If a is a zero of P , then
(x−a) is a factor of P.
2
Example: If P ( x )=x −3 and a=4 , then P(x )=(x + 4)(x−4)+13 where q (x)=x+ 4 and

Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

Name Date

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

Exit Ticket

Consider the polynomial P ( x )=x 3+ x 2−10 x−10 .

1. Is x +1 one of the factors of P ? Explain.

2. The graph shown has x -intercepts at √ 10, −1, and −√ 10. Could this be the graph of P ( x )=x 3+ x 2−10 x−10
? Explain how you know.

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

Exit Ticket Sample Solutions

Consider polynomial P ( x )=x 3+ x 2−10 x−10 .

1. Is x +1 one of the factors of P? Explain.

3 2
P (−1 )=(−1 ) + (−1 ) −10 (−1 ) −10=−1+1+10−10=0
Yes, x +1 is a factor of P because P(−1)=0 . Or, using factoring by grouping, we have

2 2
P ( x )=x ( x +1 )−10 ( x +1 )=( x+1)( x −10).

2. The graph shown has x -intercepts at √ 10, −1, and −√ 10. Could this be
the graph of P ( x ) =x 3+ x 2−10 x−10 ? Explain how you know.

Yes, this could be the graph of P. x -intercepts at

Since this graph has

√ 10, −1, and −√ 10, the factor theorem says that (x−√ 10),
(x−1), and (x + √ 10) are all factors of the equation that goes with
this graph. Since
( x− √10 ) ( x + √ 10 ) ( x −1 )=x 3+ x2 −10 x −10, the graph
shown is quite likely to be the graph of P.

Problem Set Sample Solutions

1. Use the remainder theorem to find the remainder for each of the following divisions.

a.
( x 2+3 x +1 ) b.
3 2
x −6 x −7 x+ 9
( x +2 ) ( x−3 )
−1 −39

4 3 2 4 3 2
c.
32 x +24 x −12 x +2 x+1 d.
32 x +24 x −12 x +2 x+1
( x+1 ) ( 2 x−1 )
Hint for part (d): Can you rewrite the division
−5 expression so that the divisor is in the form
( x−c ) for some constant c ?
4

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

3 2
2. Consider the polynomial P ( x )=x + 6 x −8 x−1. Find P(4) in two ways.
3 2
3 2 x +6 x −8 x−1 has a remainder of
P ( 4 )=4 +6 ( 4 ) −8 ( 4 )−1=127 127 , so
x−4
P(4)=127 .
4 2
3. Consider the polynomial function P ( x )=2 x +3 x +12.
a. Divide P by x +2, and rewrite P in the form ( divisor )(quotient )+ remainder .

P ( x )=( x+ 2 ) ( 2 x 3−4 x 2+11 x −22 ) +56

b. Find P(−2).

P(−2)=(−2+ 2 ) ( q (−2 ) ) +56=56

3
4. Consider the polynomial function P ( x )=x + 42.
a. Divide P by x−4 , and rewrite P in the form (divisor )(quotient )+ remainder .

P ( x )=( x−4 ) ( x 2+ 4 x +16 ) +106

b. Find P(4) .

P(4)=( 4−4 ) ( q ( 4 ) ) +106=106

5. Explain why for a polynomial function P, P(a) is equal to the remainder of the quotient of P and x−a .
The polynomial P can be rewritten in the form P(x )=(x −a)(q (x))+ r , where q (x) is the quotient
function and
r is the remainder. Then P(a)=( a−a ) ( q ( a ) ) +r . Therefore, P(a)=r .

6. Is x−5 a factor of the function f ( x )=x 3 + x 2−27 x−15 ? Show work supporting your answer.

Yes, because f (5)=0 means that dividing by x−5 leaves a remainder of 0.

7. Is x +1 a factor of the function f ( x )=2 x 5−4 x 4 +9 x 3−x +13? Show work supporting your answer.

No, because f (−1)=−1 means that dividing by x +1 has a remainder of −1.

8. A polynomial function p has zeros of 2, 2, −3, −3,−3, and 4 . Find a possible formula for P, and state its
degree. Why is the degree of the polynomial not 3 ?

2 3
One solution isP ( x )=( x−2 ) ( x +3 ) ( x−4) . The degree of P is 6 . This is not a degree 3 polynomial
function because the factor (x−2) appears twice, and the factor (x +3) appears 3 times, while the factor

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

(x−4) appears once.

3 2
9. P ( x )=x −8 x −29 x+180 .
Consider the polynomial function

a. Verify that P(9)=0. Since P(9)=0, what must one of the factors of P be?

P ( 9 )=93−8 ( 92 )−29 ( 9 ) +180=0; x−9

b. Find the remaining two factors of P.

P(x )=(x −9)(x−4 )(x+5)

c. State the zeros of P.

x=9 ,4 ,−5

d. Sketch the graph of P.

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

3 2
10. Consider the polynomial function P ( x )=2 x +3 x −2 x−3.
a. Verify that P(−1)=0 . Since P(−1)=0 , what must one of the factors of P be?

3 2
P (−1 )=2 (−1 ) +3 (−1 ) −2 (−1 )−3=0; x +1

b. Find the remaining two factors of P.

P(x )=(x +1)( x−1)(2 x +3)

c. State the zeros of P.

3
x=−1 , 1,−
2

d. Sketch the graph of P.

11. The graph to the right is of a third-degree polynomial function f .

a. State the zeros of f .

x=−10 ,−1, 2

b. Write a formula for f in factored form using c for the constant

factor.

f (x)=c (x+ 10)(x +1)(x−2)

c. Use the fact that f (−4 )=−54 to find the constant factor
c.
−1
−54=c (−4 +10 ) (−4 +1 )(−4−2 )c=
2
−1
f (x)= (x +10)(x+1)(x−2)
2

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

d. Verify your equation by using the fact that f (1)=11.

−1 −1
f (1)= ( 1+ 10 ) (1+1 )( 1−2 )= ( 11) ( 2 )(−1 )=11
2 2

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

3 2
12. Find the value of k so that
x −k x +2 has remainder .
8
x −1
k =−5

3
13. Find the value k so that
k x + x−k has remainder 16 .
x +2
k =−2

51
14. Show that x −21 x +20 is divisible by x−1.
51
Let P ( x )=x −21 x +20.
51
Then P ( 1 )=1 −21 ( 1 )+ 20=1−21+ 20=0 .
Since P(1)=0 , the remainder of the quotient( x 51−21 x +20) ÷ ( x −1 ) is 0 .
51
Therefore, x −21 x +20 is divisible by x−1.

15. Show that x +1 is a factor of 19 x 42+18 x−1.

42
Let P( x )=19 x +18 x−1.
42
Then P (−1 )=19 (−1 ) +18 (−1 )−1=19−18−1=0.
Since P(−1)=0 , x +1 must be a factor of P.

Note to Teacher: The following problems have multiple correct solutions. The answers provided here are polynomials
with leading coefficient 1 and the lowest degree that meet the specified criteria. As an example, the answer to Exercise
16 is given as p ( x )=(x +2)(x−1), but the following are also correct responses: q ( x )=14 (x +2)( x−1),
r ( x )=( x +2 ) ( x−1 ) , and s ( x )=( x 2 +1 ) ( x +2 ) ( x−1 ) .
4 8

Write a polynomial function that meets the stated conditions.

16. The zeros are −2 and 1.

p ( x )=(x +2)(x−1) or, equivalently, p ( x )=x 2+ x −2

17. The zeros are −1,2, and 7 .

p ( x )=( x+ 1 )( x−2 )( x−7 ) or, equivalently, p ( x )=x 3−8 x 2+5 x +14

1 3
18. The zeros are – and .
2 4

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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 NYS COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM Lesson 19 M1
ALGEBRA II

( 12 )( x− 34 )
p ( x )= x + or, equivalently,
2 x 3
p ( x )=x − −
4 8

−2
19. The zeros are and 5 , and the constant term of the polynomial is −10 .
3
p ( x )=( x−5 ) ( 3 x+2 ) or, equivalently, p ( x )=3 x 2−13 x −10

3
20. The zeros are 2 and – , the polynomial has degree 3 , and there are no other zeros.
2
p ( x )=( x −2) (2 x+ 3) or, equivalently, p ( x )=¿
2

Lesson 19: The Remainder Theorem

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