Pg.

287
You used the Distributive Property and
factoring to simplify algebraic expressions.

Now

• Evaluate functions by using synthetic

substitution.
• Determine whether a binomial is a factor of a
polynomial by using synthetic substitution.
• synthetic substitution
• depressed polynomial
Discovery Learning Strategy
 Synthetic Substitution

If f(x) = 2x4 – 5x2 + 8x – 7, find f(6).

Method 1 Synthetic Substitution
By the Remainder Theorem, f(6) should be the
remainder when you divide the polynomial by x – 6.
2 0 –5 8 Notice that there is no
–7
x3 term. A zero is
12 72 402 2460 placed in this position
as a placeholder.
2 12 67 410 2453

Answer: The remainder is 2453. Thus, by using

synthetic substitution, f(6) = 2453.
 Synthetic Substitution

Method 2 Direct Substitution

Replace x with 6.

Original function

Replace x with 6.
Simplify.

Answer: By using direct substitution, f(6) = 2453.

Guided Practice

Group/ Pair Work

Group/ Pair Work

 Find Function Values

COLLEGE The number of college students from

the United States who study abroad can be
modeled by the function S(x) = 0.02x 4 – 0.52x 3 +
4.03x 2 + 0.09x + 77.54, where x is the number of
years since 1993 and S(x) is the number of
students in thousands. How many U.S. college
students will study abroad in 2019?

Answer: In 2019, there will be 2,804,160 U.S. college

students studying abroad.
Part Two
Factor Theorem
 Use the Factor Theorem

Determine whether x – 3 is a factor of

x3 + 4x2 – 15x – 18. Then find the remaining factors
of the polynomial.
The binomial x – 3 is a factor of the polynomial if 3 is a
zero of the related polynomial function. Use the factor
theorem and synthetic division.

1 4 –15 –18
3 21 18
1 7 6 0
 Use the Factor Theorem

Since the remainder is 0, (x – 3) is a factor of the

polynomial. The polynomial x3 + 4x2 – 15x –18 can be
factored as (x – 3)(x2 + 7x + 6). The polynomial
x2 + 7x + 6 is the depressed polynomial. Check to see
if this polynomial can be factored.

x2 + 7x + 6 = (x + 6)(x + 1) Factor the trinomial.

Answer: So, x3 + 4x2 – 15x – 18 = (x – 3)(x + 6)(x + 1).

Determine whether x + 2 is a factor of
x3 + 8x2 + 17x + 10. If so, find the remaining factors
of the polynomial.

A. yes; (x + 5)(x + 1)

B. yes; (x + 5)

C. yes; (x + 2)(x + 3)

D. x + 2 is not a factor.
Guided Practice Think- Pair Share