Factor Theorem

Examples
 Using Factor Theorem determine whether x – 1 is
a factor of 8x4 + 12x3 – 18x + 14.
1
Show that x – 3 ia a factor of the polynomial
x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12.
2
Find the value of k such that x + 2 is a factor of the
polynomial x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 2k.

3
 Using Factor Theorem determine whether x – 1
is a factor of 8x4 + 12x3 – 18x + 14.
1
First we determine the value of c.
c=1 According to Factor Theorem for us
f(x) = 8x4 + 12x3 – 18x + 14 to be able to know that a divisor is
also a factor the remainder should
F(c) = 8(1)4 + 12(1)3 – 18(1) + 14 be zero (0) and in this case since the
F(c) = 8 + 12 – 18 + 14 remainder is 16 the divisor is not a
factor of the polynomial.
F(c) = 16
r = 16
 Keep in mind that the
remainder should be equal to
0 for us to determine that the
divisor is also a factor.
 Show that x – 3 ia a factor of the polynomial

2
x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12.

Evaluate f(c), c = 3 As we can see the

f(x) = x3 – 3x2 + 4x – 12 remainder of the
given polynomial
F(c) =(3)3 – 3(3)2 + 4(3) – 12
is equal to 0
f(c) = 27 – 27 + 12 – 12 therefore we can
say that the
f(c) = 0 divisor is also a
factor of the
r=0 polynomial.
 Find the value of k such that x + 2 is a factor of the polynomial
3 x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 2k.

Given that x +2 is a factor of x³ + 3x² + 5x + 2k

Step 1: Evaluate f(-2) Step 2: Equate to 0
f(x) = x3 + 3x2 + 5x + 2k f(-2) = - 6 + 2k = 0
f(-2) = (-2)3 + 3(-2)2 + 5(-2) + 2k 6 – 6 + 2k = 0 + 6
= - 8 + 12+ (-10) + 2k (2k = 6) ½
= - 6 + 2k
k=3
We know from factor
theorem that f(-2) = 0
Thank you…