Maths
Maths
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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)
Hence :
b
- If for a polynomial P(x) , P( ) = 0 then ax – b is a factor of P(x)
a
Example :
The values of x for which f(x)=0 are called the roots of the function.
x2 +2x -15 =0
<=> (x+5)(x-3)=0
<=> x = -5 or x = 3
P(x) = (x – c) Q(x) + R
Example :
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.
=3-1+1-4+2
=1