Transcript Lesson 3.5A

Factoring Polynomials

How do we use the Factor Theorem to determine factors of a polynomial?

How do we factor the sum and difference of two cubes Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials

Recall that if a number is divided by any of its factors, the remainder is 0. Likewise, if a polynomial is divided by any of its factors, the remainder is 0. The Remainder Theorem states that if a polynomial is divided by ( function at

a x

a

), the remainder is the value of the . So, if (

x

a

) is a factor of

P

(

x

), then

P

(

a

) = 0.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials Example 1: Determining Whether a Linear Binomial is a Factor Determine whether the given binomial is a factor of the polynomial P(x). (x + 1); (x 2 – 3x + 1)

Find

P

(–1) by synthetic substitution.

 1  3  1  4 4 5

P

(–1) = 5

P

(–1) ≠ 0, so (

x P

(

x

) =

x

2 – 3

x

+ 1) + 1. is not a factor of

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials Example 2: Determining Whether a Linear Binomial is a Factor Determine whether the given binomial is a factor of the polynomial P(x). (x + 2); (3x 4 + 6x 3 – 5x – 10)

Find

P

(–2) by synthetic substitution.

 2 6 0  5  1 0  6 10 5 0

P

(–2) = 0, so (

x

+ 2) is a factor of

P

(

x

) = 3

x

4 + 6

x

3 – 5

x

– 10.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials Example 3: Determining Whether a Linear Binomial is a Factor Determine whether the given binomial is a factor of the polynomial P(x). (x + 2); (4x 2 – 2x + 5)

Find

P

(–2) by synthetic substitution.

 2  2 5  8  25

P

(–2) = 25

P

(–2) ≠ 0, so (

x P

(

x

) = 4

x

2 – 2

x

+ 2) + 5. is not a factor of

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials Example 4: Determining Whether a Linear Binomial is a Factor Determine whether the given binomial is a factor of the polynomial P(x).

Divide everything by 3

(3x – 6); (3x 4 (x – 2); (x 4 – 6x – 2x 3 3 + 6x + 2x 2 2 + 3x – 30) + x – 10)

Find

P

(2) by synthetic substitution.

2  2 2  1 0 2 4 2 10 5 0

P

(–2) = 0, so (

x

+ 2) is a factor of

P

(

x

) = 3

x

4 + 6

x

3 – 5

x

– 10.

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials

Methods of Factoring

Binomial

GCF Difference of Two Squares

Trinomial

GCF Perfect Square Trinomial Sum of Two Cubes Two Binomials a = 1 (Shortcut)

4 or more terms

GCF Grouping Difference of Two Cubes Two Binomials a ≠ 1 (Cross)

Holt McDougal Algebra 2

Factoring Polynomials

Lesson 3.5 Practice A

Holt McDougal Algebra 2