Remainder theorem and factor theorem

l Division algorithm: If f ( x ) is divided by p ( x ) , the quotient is p ( x ) and the

remainder is r ( x) ，then f ( x ) can be expressed by the following algorithm:

f ( x ) = p ( x ) q( x) + r ( x )

where, the degree of r ( x) is smaller than the degree of p ( x ) .

l Remainder theorem: If f ( x ) is divided by ( x - a ) , then the remainder is f ( a )

l Factor theorem: If f ( a) = 0 , then f ( x) = ( x - a) q ( x) .

l Long division and synthetic division.

Exercise
1. Let f ( x ) = x 3 - 2 x 2 - 7 x + 2 . When f ( x ) is divided by x - 2 , the quotient is

Q ( x ) and remainder is R. [UM2015/2016]

(a) Find Q ( x ) and R.

(b) If Q ( x ) = A( x - 2) 2 + B( x - 2) + C , find the values of A, B and C.

(c) Using the above results, or otherwise, express f ( x) in the form

f ( x) = S ( x - 2)3 + T ( x - 2) 2 + U ( x - 2) + V , where S, T, U, V are constants.

9
2. If 4 x3 + 2 x 2 + ax + 6 is divided by 2 x + 3 , the remainder is . Find the constant
2
a. [UM 2014/2015]
A. 5 B. −5 C. 0 D. 3 E. −3
3. Let f ( x) = x3 - x 2 + kx - 6 , where k is a constant. When f ( x ) is divided by

( x - 2) and ( x + 4) , the remainder are the same. Find the value of k.

[UM 2012/2013]
A. −42 B. −14 C. −10 D. −9 E. −7
4. Which of the following is/ are the factor/ factors of x3 - 4 x2 + x + 6 ?
[UM2013/2014]
I. x + 1 II. x + 2 III. x - 3
A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and III only
 E. II and III only

5. Let f ( x) = x3 + Ax 2 - 4 x + A . When f ( x ) is divided by 2 x - 1 , the remainder is

5. [UM2008/2009]
(a) Find the value of A.
(b) Find the remainder when f (2 x - 1) is divided by 2 x - 1 .

6. Let f ( x ) be a polynomial in x. When f ( x + 1) is divided by 2 x - 3 , the

remainder is [UM2011/2012]
3 1 1 3 5
A. f ( - ) B. f ( - ) C. f ( - ) D. f ( ) E. f ( )
2 2 2 2 2
7. When f ( x) = ax3 - 13 x 2 + bx - 60 is divided by 3 x 2 - 14 x - 5 , the remainder is
7 x - 35 . [UM 2010/2011]
(a) Find a and b.
(b) Factorize f ( x ) .