College Algebra, Chapter 4, 4.3, Section 4.3, Problem 56

If $P(x) = x^4 + 3x^3 - 16x^2 - 27x + 63$. Use the factor theorem to show that $x - c$ is a factor of $P(x)$ for $c = 3$ and $c = -3$.

If $P(3) = 0$, then $x - 3 = 0$, so $x - 3$ is a factor and if $P(-3) = 0$, then $x + 3 = 0$, so $x + 3$ is a factor. So using synthetic division twice







We see that


$
\begin{equation}
\begin{aligned}

P(x) =& x^4 + 3x^3 - 16x^2 - 27x + 63
\\
\\
P(x) =& (x - 3)(x + 3)(x^2 + 3x - 7)
\\
\\
\text{ or } &
\\
\\
P(x) =& (x -3)(x + 3) \left( x - \frac{3 + \sqrt{37}}{2} \right) \left( x - \frac{3 - \sqrt{37}}{2} \right)

\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
$

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Calculus: Early Transcendentals, Chapter 9, 9.3, Section 9.3, Problem 18

In what ways might RFID technology be used to serve customers better? What problems might arise? Do you think that the technology might be valuable when implanted in animals or people?

Single Variable Calculus, Chapter 7, 7.4-2, Section 7.4-2, Problem 52