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AMSG.11.Remainder and Factor Theorem
AMSG.11.Remainder and Factor Theorem
Solving and simplifying polynomials Thus, from arithmetic, we know that we can express a
In our study of quadratics, one of the methods used to dividend as:
simplify and solve was factorisation. For example, we
may solve for x in the following equation as follows: Dividend = (Quotient ´ Divisor) + Remainder
x 2 + 5x + 6 = 0
When there is no remainder, 𝑹 = 0, and the divisor is
(x + 3)(x + 2) = 0
now a factor of the number, so
x + 3 = 0,⇒ x = −3
x + 2 = 0 ⇒ x = −2 Dividend = Quotient ´ Factor
Hence, x = −3 or −2 are solutions or roots of the The process we followed in arithmetic when dividing
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quadratic equation. is very similar to what is to be done in algebra.
Examine the following division problems in algebra
A more general name for a quadratic is a polynomial and note the similarities.
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of degree 2, since the highest power of the unknown is
two. The method of factorisation worked for Division of a polynomial by a linear expression
quadratics whose solutions are integers or rational We can apply the same principles in arithmetic to
.
numbers. dividing algebraic expressions. Let the quadratic
hs
For a polynomial of order 3, such as function 𝑓(𝑥) represent the dividend, and (𝑥 − 1) the
x 3 + 4x 2 + x − 6 = 0 the method of factorisation may divisor, where
also be applied. However, obtaining the factors is not 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 - − 𝑥 + 2
as simple as it was for quadratics. We would likely
have to write down three linear factors, which may at Quotient 3x + 2
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prove difficult. In this section, we will learn to use the
remainder and factor theorems to factorise and to solve x − 1 3x − x + 2
2 Dividend
Terms in division
We are familiar with division in arithmetic.
3𝑥 - − 𝑥 + 2 = (3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1) + 4
Quotient 15
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
32 489 Dividend
Dividend Quotient Divisor Remainder
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32
Divisor 169 Consider (𝑥 − 1) = 0,
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↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ 2𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 - + 4𝑥 + 5 = (2𝑥 - + 𝑥 + 18)(𝑥 + 2) − 31
Dividend Quotient Divisor Remainder
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We can now formulate the following expression
Consider (𝑥 − 2) = 0,
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 - + 14𝑥 + 25) × 0 + 54 = 54 where, f (x) is a polynomial whose quotient is Q(x)
.
and whose remainder is R when divided by (x − a) .
hs
But, (𝑥 − 2) = 0 implies that 𝑥 = 2 f ( x) = Q( x) ´ ( x - a) + R
Therefore, when 𝑥 = 2, 𝑓(𝑥) = 54 or 𝑓(2) = 54.
If we were to substitute 𝑥 = 𝑎 in the above expression,
We can conclude that when the polynomial
𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 - − 3𝑥 + 4 at then our result will be equal to 𝑅, the remainder when
the divisor, (𝑥 − 𝑎) is divided by the polynomial,
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is divided by (𝑥 − 2), the remainder is 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑓(2) = 54
We are now able to state the remainder theorem.
s
Now consider another example of a cubic polynomial
as
x + 2 2x 3 − 3x 2 + 4x + 5
The validity of this theorem can be tested in any of
− (2x 3 + 4x 2 ) the equations above, for example:
.fa
− 7x 2 + 4x + 5
− (7x 2 − 14x) 1. When 3𝑥 - − 𝑥 + 2 was divided by (𝑥 − 1),
the remainder was 4.
18x + 5
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𝑓(1) = 3(1)- − 1 + 2
From the above example, we can deduce that: 𝑓(1) = 4
2𝑥 4 − 3𝑥 - + 4𝑥 + 5 = (2𝑥 - + 𝑥 + 18)(𝑥 + 2) − 31
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ 2. When 𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 - − 3𝑥 + 4 was divided by
Dividend Quotient Divisor Remainder
(𝑥 − 2), the remainder was 54.
Consider (𝑥 + 2) = 0,
According to the remainder theorem, the remainder
𝑓(𝑥) = (2𝑥 - + 𝑥 + 18) × 0 − 31 = −31
can be computed by substituting 𝑥 = 2 in 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 12𝑥 - − 3𝑥 + 4
But, (𝑥 + 2) = 0 implies that 𝑥 = −2
𝑓(2) = (2)4 + 12(2)- − 3(2) + 4
Therefore, when 𝑥 = −2, 𝑓(𝑥) = −31 or
𝑓(2) = 8 + 48 − 6 + 4
𝑓(−2) = −31.
𝑓(2) = 54
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Find the remainder when 𝑥 = 1, 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 because the remainder, 𝑅 = 0.
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 + 𝑥 - − 4𝑥 − 1 is divided by (𝑥 − 2).
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The Factor Theorem
Solution If f (x) is any polynomial and f (x) is divided
by (x − a) , and the remainder f (a) = 0 then
.
By the Remainder Theorem, the remainder is 𝑓(2).
hs
(x − a) is a factor of f (x)
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 + 𝑥 - − 4𝑥 − 1
𝑓(2) = 3(2)4 + (2)- − 4(2) − 1
𝑓(2) = 24 + 4 − 8 − 1
𝑓(2) = 19
Hence, the remainder is 19 at Example 2
Show that (𝑥 − 2) is a factor of
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 + 𝑥 - − 14𝑥
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The Factor Theorem for divisor (𝒙 − 𝒂)
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Solution
Now, consider the following examples when there is
By the Factor Theorem, if (𝑥 − 2) is a factor of
as
no remainder.
the remainder is zero. We now compute the
remainder, 𝑓(2).
3x + 2 8x 2 − 2x − 3 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 4 + 𝑥 - − 14𝑥
sp
x −1 3x − x − 2
2
x −1 8x 3 −10x 2 − x + 3 𝑓(2) = 3(2)4 + (2)- − 14(2)
− (3x 2 − 3x) 𝑓(2) = 24 + 4 − 28
− (8x 3 − 8x 2 )
𝑓(2) = 0
.fa
2x − 2 − 2x 2 − x + 3
− (2x − 2) − (−2x 2 + 2x) Hence, (𝑥 − 2) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥).
0 − 3x + 3
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−(3x + 3)
0 The Remainder and Factor Theorem for
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divisor (𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃)
When the divisor is not in the form, (x − a) , but in the
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We can express the dividend as a product of the divisor general linear form (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏), the remainder can no
and the quotient only, since 𝑅 = 0. longer be 𝑓(𝑎). This is because the coefficient of x is
not equal to one.
𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 - − 𝑥 − 2 = (3𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1)
𝑓(𝑥) = 8𝑥 4 − 10𝑥 - − 𝑥 + 3 = (8𝑥 - − 2𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 1) Consider the following example, where the divisor is
of the form, (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏).
We can now formulate the following expression where
𝑓(𝑥) is a polynomial, 𝑄(𝑥) is the quotient and (𝑥 − 𝑎) Let (2𝑥 + 3) be a divisor of
is a factor of the polynomial. 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 - + 2𝑥 + 9
We perform the division as shown below and note
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑄(𝑥) × (𝑥 − 𝑎) that the remainder is 15.
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2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 - + 2𝑥 + 9 = (𝑥 - + 2𝑥 − 2)(2𝑥 + 3) + 15
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𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 - + 2𝑥 − 2) × 0 + 15 = 15 If f ( x ) is any polynomial and f ( x ) is divided by
4
But, (2𝑥 + 3) = 0 implies that 𝑥 = − -.
æ bö
4 ( ax + b ) then the remainder is f ç- ÷ .
.
Therefore, when 𝑥 = − -, 𝑓(𝑥) = 15 or è aø
hs
4
𝑓 A− -B = 15. æ bö
If f ç - ÷ = 0, then ( ax + b ) is a factor of f ( x ) .
We can conclude that when the polynomial è aø
2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 - + 2𝑥 + 9 is divided by (2𝑥 + 3), the
4
remainder is 𝑓 A− B = 15
- at We apply the Remainder Theorem to obtain the
remainder when 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 - + 2𝑥 + 9 was
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Now consider the example below.
divided by (2𝑥 + 3).
By the Remainder Theorem, the remainder is
3x 2 + 6x − 1
s
4
𝑓 A− -B.
3x − 1 9x 3 + 15x 2 − 9x + 1
as
3 3 3 3
− (9x 3 − 3x 2 ) 𝑓 F− G = 2(− )4 + 7(− )- + 2(− ) + 9
2 2 2 2
18x 2 − 9x + 1 3 27 63
𝑓 F− G = − + −3+9
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− (18x 2 − 6x) 2
3
4 4
− 3x + 1 𝑓 F− G = 15
2
− (−3x + 1) We can apply the Factor Theorem to show that
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𝑓(𝑥) = 9𝑥 4 + 15𝑥 - − 9𝑥 + 1
Consider (3𝑥 − 1) = 0, 1 1 4 1 - 1
𝑓 F G = 9 F G + 15 F G − 9 F G + 1
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𝑓(𝑥) = (3𝑥 - + 6𝑥 − 1) × 0 = 0 3 3 3 3
C
But, (3𝑥 − 1) = 0 implies that 𝑥 = 4. 1 1 5
C C 𝑓F G = + −3+1 = 0
Therefore, when 𝑥 = 4, 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 or 𝑓 A4B = 0. 3 3 3
We can conclude that when the polynomial
9𝑥 4 + 15𝑥 - − 9𝑥 + 1 is divided by (3𝑥 − 1), the Hence, (3𝑥 − 1) is a factor of 𝑓(𝑥).
C
remainder is 𝑓 A B = 0. Instead of performing long division, we can apply the
4
So, (3𝑥 − 1) is a factor of 9𝑥 4 + 15𝑥 - − 9𝑥 + 1 remainder theorem to find the remainder when a
polynomial is divided by a linear expression of the
D
From the above examples, we can formulate the form (ax + b). The remainder, 𝑅 = 𝑓 A− EB when the
following expression: polynomial is divided by the linear factor.
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑄(𝑥) × (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏) + 𝑅
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In this example ( 2x - 1) is of the form ( ax + b ) ,
Factorising and Solving Polynomials
where a = 2 and b = -1
We can use the factor theorem to factorise or solve a
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The remainder would be polynomial. However, to factorise a polynomial of the
æ - ( -1) ö æ1ö form ax3 + bx 2 + cx + d it would be helpful to know
fç ÷ = f ç ÷.
è 2 ø è2ø one linear factor. Then we can obtain the other factors
.
hs
3 2 by the process of long division.
æ1ö æ1ö æ1ö æ1ö
f ç ÷ = 4 ç ÷ + 2 ç ÷ - 3ç ÷ + 1
è2ø è2ø è2ø è 2ø Example 5
1 1 1 1 Show that (2x + 3) is a factor of
= + -1 +1 =
2 2 2 2
at f ( x ) = 2 x3 + 3x2 - 2 x - 3 .
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Alternatively, we could have used long division to
show that the remainder is one half. Solution
When f(x) is divided by ( 2 x + 3) , the remainder is
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- 4 x3 - 2 x 2
4 x 2 - 3x Example 6
Factorise, 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 x + 3x - 29 x - 60 and hence
3 2
.fa
- 4x2 - 2x
solve f ( x ) = 0 .
- x +1
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- - x + 12 Solution
Let f ( x) = 2 x3 + 3x 2 - 29 x - 60 .
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1
2 To obtain the first factor, we use the remainder
theorem to test for f(1), f(-1) and so on, until we
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If f ( x ) = 0, then ( 2 x + 5)( x + 3)( x - 4) = 0. And
3 ´ -4 ´ b = -60
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C
So 𝑥 = −3, 2 and 4.
- \b = 5
Example 7 Hence, ( ax + b ), the third factor, is ( 2 x + 5).
.
Factorise x 3 - x 2 + 4 x - 12 and hence show that ( x + 3)( x - 4) = x2 - x -12
hs
x3 - x 2 + 4 x - 12 = 0 has only one solution. Alternatively, we may divide 2 x 3 + 3x 2 - 29 x - 60
by x 2 - x - 12 .
Solution
To get the first factor, we apply the remainder at 2x + 5
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theorem as follows:
x - x - 12 2 x 3 + 3x 2 - 29 x - 60
2
- 2 x 3 - 2 x 2 - 24 x
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f ( -1) = ( -1) - ( -1) + 4 ( -1) - 12 ¹ 0
3 2
5 x 2 - 5 x - 60
as
f ( 2 ) = ( 2 ) - ( 2 ) + 4 ( 2 ) - 12 = 0
3 2
- 5 x 2 - 5 x - 60
Hence, ( x - 2) is a factor of f ( x) . 0
\ The third factor is ( 2 x + 5) .
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- x - 2x
3 2 Solve for x in x3 - 2 x 2 - 7 x + 12 = 0 , giving the
answer to 2 decimal places where necessary.
x 2 + 4 x - 12
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- x2 - 2x Solution
6 x - 12 Recall: If f ( x ) is any polynomial and f ( x ) is
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- 6 x - 12
divided by ( x - a ) , then the remainder is f ( a ) .
0
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\( x + 1) is not a factor of f ( x ) .
Now, try (𝑥 − 2)
f ( 2 ) = ( 2 ) - 2 ( 2 ) - 7 ( 2 ) + 12 ¹ 0
3 2
\( x - 2) is not a factor of f ( x ) .
Try (𝑥 + 2)
f ( -2 ) = ( -2 ) - 2 ( -2 ) - 7 ( -2 ) + 12 ¹ 0
3 2
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\( x + 2) is not a factor of f ( x ) .
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Try (𝑥 − 3)
f ( 3) = (3)3 – 2(3)2 -7(3) +12 = 0
\ ( x - 3) is a factor of f ( x ) .
.
hs
Now we divide f ( x ) by ( x - 3) .
x2 + x - 4
x - 3 x 3 - 2 x 2 - 7 x + 12
- x3 - 3x 2
at
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x 2 - 7 x + 12
s
- x 2 - 3x
as
- 4 x + 12
- -4 x + 12
0
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-b ± b2 - 4ac
If ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , then x = ,
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2a
x=
2 (1)
-1 ± 17
=
2
= 1.561 or - 2.561
= 1.56 or - 2.56 (correct to 2 decimal places)