How to solve this polynomial equation?

When S(x)= #x^4+ax^3+bx^2+4x-7# is divided by #(x+1)##(x-1)#, the remaider is #-2x+5#. Find a and b.

1 Answer
Jul 2, 2018

I get #a=-6, b=-13#.

Explanation:

Since we know the remainder is #-2x+5#, we are sure that if we subtract that from the given polynomial then the difference will be exactly a multiple of #(x+1)(x-1)=x^2-1#. So we render this:

#(x^4+ax^3+bx^2+4x-7)-(-2x+5)=x^4+ax^3+bx^2+6x-12=(x^2-1)(x^2+px+q)#

Then we multiply out that last product and match like power terms:

#(x^2-1)(x^2+px+q)=x^4+px^3+(q-1)x^2-px-q=x^4+ax^3+bx^2+6x-12#

Then match like powers:

#x^4=x^4#

#px^3=ax^3#

#bx^2=(q-1)x^2#

#6x=-px#

#-12=q#

So #p=-6# meaning #a=p=-6#, and #q=-12# meaning #b=q-1=-13#.