MHF4U 2.

6 FACTOR THEOREM PART 3

Strategies for Factoring Higher Order Polynomials

Factor P( x) x 4 + 5 x3 + 5 x 2 5 x 6. Factors of 6 i t l I 2 I3 I6

Pl Its 15 5 6
0
I
is a factor
G g

I 5 5 5 6

3 6 422 16
PCI x g x

1 I 16 it 16
QC
3
RN k
agg

Q x e x g x 45kt 6
x 2 x t 2 set3
 MHF4U 2.6 FACTOR THEOREM PART 3

Example 2: Factor P( x) 6 x3 32 x 2 + 46 x 12 . All coefficients are multiples of2

Factorout a 2
3 1622123 X
PGC 2 3 G

P2 2 3 8 1614 123127 6
2 70 70
x 2 is a factor
o

2 3 16 23 6

if 2g g
px 2 x 2 312 tox 13
2 x 9k 13
2 x s 3
x za D 313
1
2 x 2
1 x 3
2 x l sx

Key Ideas
𝒃
• The remainder theorem: When a polynomial P(x) is divided by (ax-b) the remainder is equal to 𝑷(𝒂)
𝒃
• The factor theorem: (ax-b) is a factor of P(x) , if and only if 𝑷 ( =𝟎
𝒂
Need to Know
• To factor a polynomial of degree 3 or greater, first look to factor by grouping. If not possible, use
the Factor Theorem to determine a factor of P(x).
• If a polynomial, has a degree greater than 3, it may be necessary to use the factor theorem more
than once.
• Not all polynomial functions are factorable.
o This may mean there are no roots
o It may also mean the roots are irrational numbers.