Part 2 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
Part 2 Zeros of Polynomial Functions
Objectives: In this Part 2 of this module, the student should be able to:
In this section, we will study methods for finding the zeros of a polynomial function P. A
zero or root of a polynomial function P is also called the x -intercept of the graph of the
function which will be discussed in full part 3 of this module. Our main focus is to discuss
different tools that we will need. These are the remainder and factor theorems and synthetic
division.
4.2.1 The Division Algorithm for Polynomials and the Synthetic Division
The first theorem of the section describes n important consequence when dividing a
polynomial function by linear expression of the form x−r , where r is a real number.
P ( x ) =( x−r ) Q ( x ) + R .
Example 1 Consider the polynomial P ( x ) =2 x 3−5 x 2−8 x +17 and divide P( x ) by x−3. The
quotient is 2 x2 + x−5 , and the remainder is 2. Thus, we can write
To find the quotient as well as the remainder when a polynomial function is divided by x−r ,
a shortened version of long division, called synthetic division, makes the task simpler.
To explain synthetic division, let us consider P ( x ) =2 x 3−5 x 2−8 x +17 ÷ x−3, given
previously in Example 1.
When you wish to determine the remainder without using the long division (or actual
division) in a simple method, the remainder theorem can be used by evaluating P( x ) at r .
P ( x ) =( x−r ) Q ( x ) + R .
The equation is satisfied when x=r . We obtain
P ( r )=( r −r ) Q ( x ) + R
¿ 0+ R
P ( r )=R , remainder
Therefore, the remainder when P ( x ) is divided by x−r is P ( r ) .
Example 4 Use the Remainder Theorem to find the of the following expression
(a) ( x 3 +10 ) ÷ ( x +2 )
(b) ( x +1 )( x−2 ) ( x+ 3 ) ( x −4 ) ÷ ( x−3 )
(c) ( 5 x 3−9 x 2+ 3 x −11 ) ÷ (5 x +4 )
Example 5 Find the value(s) of k so that ( 2 x 2−5 x+1 ) ÷ ( x−2 k )gives a remainder of 4.
Solution: This problem can be solved using synthetic division. however, because we only
need the remainder, then the Remainder Theorem can provide us with the easier solution.
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MODULE 1
4.0 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs PRECALCULUS
P ( 2 k )=4
2
2 ( 2 k ) −5 ( 2 k ) +1=4
8 k 2−10 k +1=4
8 k 2−10 k−3=0
( 4 k +1 ) ( 2 k−3 ) =0
4 k +1=0⋮ 2 k−3=0
4 k =−1⋮ 2 k=3
−1 3
k= ⋮ k=
4 2
2
We can easily verify that both ( 2 x −5 x+1 ) ÷ x + ( 12 ) and (2 x −5 x+1 ) ÷ ( x−3 ) give a remainder
2
This next theorem is a consequence of the remainder theorem. It allows us to verify whether
a specific expression of the form x−r is a factor of a given polynomial function and can be
used to find the zeros of polynomial functions and also the factored form of a
polynomial.
It tells us from the previous theorem, the remainder when P( x ) is divided by x−r is P ( r ) .
Then x−r is a factor of P( x ) if and only if the remainder is zero, or equivalently, P ( r )=0.
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MODULE 1
4.0 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs PRECALCULUS
Illustration 3: Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether or not the first expression is a
factor of the second expression.
(a) x−1 ; 2 x 3−x 2 +2 x−3
(b) x 2−1 ; x200 −1
Solution:
EXERCISES 2.
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MODULE 1
4.0 Polynomial Functions and Their Graphs PRECALCULUS
In Exercises 1-5, use synthetic division to find the quotient and remainder.
1) ¿
3 2
2) ( 4 x + x −4 x +10 ) ÷ x− ( 32 )
3) ( 4 x 4−6 x 2 +2 x−3 ) ÷ (2 x−1 )
4) ( 3 x 5−2 x 4−3 x 3 +4 x 2 +2 ) ÷ ( x −7 )
5) ( x 4 +11 ) ÷ ( x +3 )
In Exercises 6-10, use the Remainder Theorem to find the remainder of the following
expressions.
6) ( x 4 −22 x 2 +13 x+1 5 ) ÷ ( x+5 )
4
7) ( 16 x −6 x+5 ) ÷ x+ ( 12 )
8) ( 6 x 5−x 4 −31 x 3−20 x 2 +24 x +8 ) ÷ ( 2 x +3 )
9) ( x 9−1 ) ÷ ( x−1 )
10) ( 5 x 3−9 x 2+ 3 x −11 ) ÷ (5 x−4 )
In Exercises 11-15, use the Factor Theorem to show that the first expression is a factor
of the second expression.
In Exercises 16-20, find the value of k that satisfy the given conditions.
21) Find the values of a and b such that x 3−2 a x 2+ bx−3 is divisible by x 2−x−2.
22) Find a and b such that a x 3−b x 2 +45 x +54=0 has 3 as a root and yields a remainder of
12 when divided by x +1.