How do you determine whether x+2 is a factor of the polynomial 3x^4+5x^3+x-23x4+5x3+x2?

1 Answer
Apr 27, 2017

Have you ever done long or synthetic division? Both are good options, but difficult to "type" an answer to demonstrate.

Explanation:

Another great option would be to evaluate f(-2): 3(-2)^4+5(-2)^3+(-2)-23(2)4+5(2)3+(2)2
= 3(16)+5(-8)-43(16)+5(8)4
=48-444844 = 4.

Since the answer is 4, that means there would be a remainder of 4 when we would divide the polynomial by x+ 2. It is not a factor.