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Factor Theorem Examples Explained

math

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5 views1 page

Factor Theorem Examples Explained

math

Uploaded by

salasklent
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Example Problems Using Each Method

1. Direct Evaluation (Definition-Based Approach)


Let f(x) = x² - 5x + 6. Test if (x - 2) is a factor.

Solution: Plug in x = 2 → f(2) = 2² - 5(2) + 6 = 4 - 10 + 6 = 0.


Since f(2) = 0, (x - 2) is a factor.

2. Polynomial Division Approach


Let f(x) = x³ - 4x² + x + 6. Divide f(x) by (x - 3).

Solution: Using polynomial division:


f(x) = (x - 3)(x² - x - 2) with remainder 0 → (x - 3) is a factor.

3. Remainder Theorem + Logic


Let f(x) = x³ + 2x² - x - 2. Use the Remainder Theorem to check if (x + 1) is a factor.

Solution: Evaluate f(-1):


f(-1) = (-1)³ + 2(-1)² - (-1) - 2 = -1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 0 → (x + 1) is a factor.

4. Graphical Interpretation
Let f(x) = x² - 9. Sketch the graph or observe its roots.

Solution: f(x) = (x - 3)(x + 3), so roots are x = 3 and x = -3.


Graph intersects x-axis at x = ±3 → (x - 3) and (x + 3) are factors.

5. Using Synthetic Division


Let f(x) = x³ - 6x² + 11x - 6. Use synthetic division to test (x - 1).

Solution: Use synthetic division with 1:


1 | 1 -6 11 -6
| 1 -5 6
----------------
1 -5 6 0
Remainder is 0 → (x - 1) is a factor.

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