TEKS

5.5
2A.2.A; P.1.D,
Apply the Remainder
and Factor Theorems
P.3.A, P.3.B

Before You used special patterns to factor polynomials.

Now You will use theorems to factor polynomials.
Why? So you can determine attendance at sports games, as in Ex. 43.

Key Vocabulary When you divide a polynomial f (x) by a divisor d(x), you get a quotient
• polynomial polynomial q(x) and a remainder polynomial r(x).
long division f (x) r(x)
• synthetic division } 5 q(x) 1 }
d(x) d(x)
The degree of the remainder must be less than the degree of the divisor.
One way to divide polynomials is called polynomial long division.

EXAMPLE 1 Use polynomial long division

Divide f(x) 5 3x 4 2 5x 3 1 4x 2 6 by x 2 2 3x 1 5.

Solution
Write polynomial division in the same format you use when dividing numbers.
Include a “0” as the coefficient of x 2 in the dividend. At each stage, divide the
term with the highest power in what is left of the dividend by the first term of the
divisor. This gives the next term of the quotient.

3x 2 1 4x 2 3 quotient
2 4 3 2
x 2 3x 1 5 q 3x 2 5x 1 0x 1 4x 2 6
wwwwwwwwwwwwwww

3x 4 2 9x 3 1 15x 2 Multiply divisor by 3x 4/x 2 5 3x2 .

4x 3 2 15x 2 1 4x Subtract. Bring down next term.

3 2
4x 2 12x 1 20x Multiply divisor by 4x 3/x 2 5 4x.

23x 2 2 16x 2 6 Subtract. Bring down next term.

23x 2 1 9x 2 15 Multiply divisor by 23x 2/x 2 5 23.

225x 1 9 remainder
AVOID ERRORS 4
2 5x3 1 4x 2 6 225x 1 9
c 3x
} 5 3x 1 4x 2 3 1 }
2
The expression added x2 2 3x 1 5 x2 2 3x 1 5
to the quotient in
the result of the long CHECK You can check the result of a division problem by multiplying the quotient
division problem is by the divisor and adding the remainder. The result should be the dividend.
r(x)
}, not r(x).
d(x) (3x2 1 4x 2 3)(x2 2 3x 1 5) 1 (225x 1 9)
5 3x2 (x2 2 3x 1 5) 1 4x(x2 2 3x 1 5) 2 3(x2 2 3x 1 5) 2 25x 1 9
5 3x4 2 9x 3 1 15x2 1 4x3 2 12x2 1 20x 2 3x2 1 9x 2 15 2 25x 1 9
5 3x4 2 5x3 1 4x 2 6 ✓

362 Chapter 5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

 EXAMPLE 2 Use polynomial long division with a linear divisor
Divide f(x) 5 x 3 1 5x 2 2 7x 1 2 by x 2 2.
x 2 1 7x 1 7 quotient
3 2
x 2 2 qx 1 5x 2 7x 1 2
wwwwwwwwwww

x 3 2 2x 2 Multiply divisor by x 3/x 5 x 2 .

7x2 2 7x Subtract.

7x 2 2 14x Multiply divisor by 7x 2/x 5 7x.

7x 1 2 Subtract.

7x 2 14 Multiply divisor by 7x/x 5 7.

16 remainder
3 2
1 5x 2 7x 1 2 5 x 2 1 7x 1 7 1 16
c x} }
x22 x22

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2

Divide using polynomial long division.

1. (2x 4 1 x 3 1 x 2 1) 4 (x 2 1 2x 2 1) 2. (x 3 2 x 2 1 4x 2 10) 4 (x 1 2)

SYNTHETIC DIVISION If you use synthetic substitution to evaluate f (x) in

Example 2 when x 5 2, as shown below, you can see that f (2) equals the
remainder when f (x) is divided by x 2 2. Also, the other values below the line
match the coefficients of the quotient. For this reason, synthetic substitution is
sometimes called synthetic division. Synthetic division can be used to divide any
polynomial by a divisor of the form x 2 k.
2 1 5 27 2
2 14 14
coefficients of quotient 1 7 7 16 remainder

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Remainder Theorem
If a polynomial f(x) is divided by x 2 k, then the remainder is r 5 f (k).

EXAMPLE 3 Use synthetic division

DIVIDE Divide f(x) 5 2x 3 1 x 2 2 8x 1 5 by x 1 3 using synthetic division.

POLYNOMIALS
23 2 1 28 5
Because the divisor is
x 1 3 5 x 2 (23), 26 15 221
evaluate the dividend
2 25 7 216
when x 5 23.
3
c 2x 1 x 2 2 8x 1 5 2 16
} 5 2x 2 5x 1 7 2 }
x13 x13

5.5 Apply the Remainder and Factor Theorems 363

 FACTOR THEOREM Suppose the remainder is 0 when a polynomial f(x) is divided
by x 2 k. Then
f (x) 0
} 5 q(x) 1 } 5 q(x)
x2k x2k
where q(x) is the quotient polynomial. Therefore, f (x) 5 (x 2 k) p q(x), so that
x 2 k is a factor of f(x). This result is summarized by the factor theorem.

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Factor Theorem
A polynomial f (x) has a factor x 2 k if and only if f (k) 5 0.

The factor theorem can be used to solve a variety of problems.

Problem Example

Given one factor of a polynomial, find the See Example 4 below.

other factors.

Given one zero of a polynomial function, See Example 5 on page 365.

find the other zeros.

Given one solution of a polynomial See Example 6 on page 365.

equation, find the other solutions.

EXAMPLE 4 Factor a polynomial

Factor f(x) 5 3x 3 2 4x 2 2 28x 2 16 completely given that x 1 2 is a factor.

Solution
AVOID ERRORS Because x 1 2 is a factor of f (x), you know that f(22) 5 0. Use synthetic division to
The remainder after find the other factors.
using synthetic division
22 3 24 228 216
should always be zero
when you are dividing 26 20 16
a polynomial by one
of its factors. 3 210 28 0
Use the result to write f(x) as a product of two factors and then factor completely.
f(x) 5 3x 3 2 4x 2 2 28x 2 16 Write original polynomial.

5 (x 1 2)(3x 2 2 10x 2 8) Write as a product of two factors.

5 (x 1 2)(3x 1 2)(x 2 4) Factor trinomial.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4

Divide using synthetic division.

3. (x 3 1 4x 2 2 x 2 1) 4 (x 1 3) 4. (4x 3 1 x2 2 3x 1 7) 4 (x 2 1)

Factor the polynomial completely given that x 2 4 is a factor.

5. f (x) 5 x 3 2 6x 2 1 5x 1 12 6. f (x) 5 x 3 2 x 2 2 22x 1 40

364 Chapter 5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

 EXAMPLE 5 TAKS PRACTICE: Multiple Choice

One zero of f(x) 5 x 3 2 5x 2 2 12x 1 36 is x 5 2. What is another zero of f ?

A 26 B 23 C 22 D 3

Solution
Because f (2) 5 0, x 2 2 is a factor of f (x). Use synthetic division.
2 1 25 212 36
2 26 236
1 23 218 0
Use the result to write f(x) as a product of two factors. Then factor completely.
f(x) 5 x 3 2 5x2 2 12x 1 36 5 (x 2 2)(x2 2 3x 2 18) 5 (x 2 2)(x 1 3)(x 2 6)
The zeros are 2, 23, and 6.
c The correct answer is B. A B C D

EXAMPLE 6 Use a polynomial model

BUSINESS The profit P (in millions of dollars) for a shoe
manufacturer can be modeled by P 5 221x 3 1 46x where x is
the number of shoes produced (in millions). The company now
produces 1 million shoes and makes a profit of $25,000,000, but
would like to cut back production. What lesser number of shoes
could the company produce and still make the same profit?

Solution
25 5 221x 3 1 46x Substitute 25 for P in P 5 221x3 1 46x.

0 5 21x3 2 46x 1 25 Write in standard form.

You know that x 5 1 is one solution of the equation. This implies that x 2 1 is a
factor of 21x 3 2 46x 1 25. Use synthetic division to find the other factors.
1 21 0 246 25
21 21 225
21 21 225 0
So, (x 2 1)(21x 2 1 21x 2 25) 5 0. Use the quadratic formula to find that
x ø 0.7 is the other positive solution.
c The company could still make the same profit producing about 700,000 shoes.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5 and 6

Find the other zeros of f given that f (22) 5 0.

7. f (x) 5 x 3 1 2x2 2 9x 2 18 8. f (x) 5 x 3 1 8x 2 1 5x 2 14

9. WHAT IF? In Example 6, how does the answer change if the profit for the
shoe manufacturer is modeled by P 5 215x3 1 40x?

5.5 Apply the Remainder and Factor Theorems 365

 5.5 EXERCISES HOMEWORK
KEY
5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS
on p. WS1 for Exs. 17, 25, and 43
5 TAKS PRACTICE AND REASONING
Exs. 35, 39, 44, 45, 47, and 48
5 MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS
Ex. 38

SKILL PRACTICE
1. VOCABULARY State the remainder theorem.

2. WRITING Synthetic division has been used to divide 23 1 0 25 8 22

f (x) 5 x4 2 5x2 1 8x 2 2 by x 1 3. Explain what the
23 9 212 12
colored numbers represent in the division problem.
1 23 4 24 10
EXAMPLES USING LONG DIVISION Divide using polynomial long division.
1 and 2
3. (x 2 1 x 2 17) 4 (x 2 4) 4. (3x 2 2 11x 2 26) 4 (x 2 5)
on pp. 362–363
for Exs. 3–10 5. (x 3 1 3x 2 1 3x 1 2) 4 (x 2 1) 6. (8x 2 1 34x 2 1) 4 (4x 2 1)
7. (3x 3 1 11x 2 1 4x 1 1) 4 (x 2 1 x) 8. (7x 3 1 11x 2 1 7x 1 5) 4 (x 2 1 1)
9. (5x4 2 2x 3 2 7x 2 2 39) 4 (x 2 1 2x 2 4) 10. (4x 4 1 5x 2 4) 4 (x 2 2 3x 2 2)

EXAMPLE 3 USING SYNTHETIC DIVISION Divide using synthetic division.

on p. 363 11. (2x2 2 7x 1 10) 4 (x 2 5) 12. (4x2 2 13x 2 5) 4 (x 2 2)
for Exs. 11–20
13. (x 2 1 8x 1 1) 4 (x 1 4) 14. (x 2 1 9) 4 (x 2 3)
15. (x 3 2 5x 2 2 2) 4 (x 2 4) 16. (x 3 2 4x 1 6) 4 (x 1 3)
17. (x4 2 5x 3 2 8x2 1 13x 2 12) 4 (x 2 6) 18. (x4 1 4x 3 1 16x 2 35) 4 (x 1 5)

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in using synthetic division to
divide x 3 2 5x 1 3 by x 2 2.
19. 20.
2 1 0 25 3 2 1 25 3
2 4 22 2 26
1 2 21 1 1 23 23
x3 2 5x 1 3 x3 2 5x 1 3 3
} 5 x 1 2x 2 x 1 1 } 5 x 2 3x 2 }
3 2 2
x22 x22 x22

EXAMPLE 4 FACTOR Given polynomial f (x) and a factor of f(x), factor f(x) completely.
on p. 364 21. f (x) 5 x 3 2 10x2 1 19x 1 30; x 2 6 22. f (x) 5 x 3 1 6x 2 1 5x 2 12; x 1 4
for Exs. 21–28
23. f (x) 5 x 3 2 2x2 2 40x 2 64; x 2 8 24. f (x) 5 x 3 1 18x2 1 95x 1 150; x 1 10
25. f (x) 5 x 3 1 2x2 2 51x 1 108; x 1 9 26. f (x) 5 x 3 2 9x2 1 8x 1 60; x 1 2
27. f (x) 5 2x 3 2 15x 2 1 34x 2 21; x 2 1 28. f (x) 5 3x 3 2 2x2 2 61x 2 20; x 2 5

EXAMPLE 5 FIND ZEROS Given polynomial function f and a zero of f, find the other zeros.
on p. 365 29. f (x) 5 x 3 2 2x2 2 21x 2 18; 23 30. f (x) 5 4x 3 2 25x2 2 154x 1 40; 10
for Exs. 29–35
31. f (x) 5 10x 3 2 81x2 1 71x 1 42; 7 32. f (x) 5 3x 3 1 34x2 1 72x 2 64; 24
33. f (x) 5 2x 3 2 10x2 2 71x 2 9; 9 34. f (x) 5 5x 3 2 x2 2 18x 1 8; 22

366 Chapter 5 Polynomials and Polynomial Functions

 3 2
35. TAKS REASONING One zero of f(x) 5 4x 1 15x 2 63x 2 54 is
x 5 26. What is another zero of f ?
A 29 B 23 C 21 D 3

GEOMETRY You are given an expression for the volume of the rectangular
prism. Find an expression for the missing dimension.
36. V 5 2x 3 1 17x2 1 46x 1 40 37. V 5 x 3 1 13x2 1 34x 2 48

x21
x12
?
x14
? x16

38. MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS Consider the polynomial function

f (x) 5 x 3 2 5x2 2 12x 1 36.
a. Zeros of a Function Given that f(2) 5 0, find the other zeros of f.
b. Factors of an Expression Based on your results from part (a), what are
the factors of the polynomial x3 2 5x2 2 12x 1 36?
c. Solutions of an Equation What are the solutions of the polynomial
equation x3 2 5x2 2 12x 1 36 5 0?

39. TAKS REASONING What is the value of k such that x 2 5 is a factor of

x3 2 x2 1 kx 2 30?
A 214 B 22 C 26 D 32

40. CHALLENGE It can be shown that 2x 2 1 is a factor of the polynomial

function f(x) 5 30x 3 1 7x2 2 39x 1 14.
a. What can you conclude is a zero of f ?
b. Use synthetic division to write f (x) in the form (x 2 k) p q(x).
c. Write f(x) as the product of linear factors with integer coefficients.

PROBLEM SOLVING
EXAMPLE 6 41. CLOTHING The profit P (in millions of dollars) for a T-shirt manufacturer can
on p. 365 be modeled by P 5 2x 3 1 4x2 1 x where x is the number of T-shirts produced
for Exs. 41–43 (in millions). Currently, the company produces 4 million T-shirts and makes
a profit of $4,000,000. What lesser number of T-shirts could the company
produce and still make the same profit?
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42. MP3 PLAYERS The profit P (in millions of dollars) for a manufacturer
of MP3 players can be modeled by P 5 24x 3 1 12x2 1 16x where x
is the number of MP3 players produced (in millions). Currently, the
company produces 3 million MP3 players and makes a profit of
$48,000,000. What lesser number of MP3 players could the company
produce and still make the same profit?
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5.5 Apply the Remainder and Factor Theorems 367

 43. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL From 1985 to 2003, the total attendance A (in
thousands) at NCAA women’s basketball games and the number T of NCAA
women’s basketball teams can be modeled by
A 5 21.95x 3 1 70.1x2 2 188x 1 2150 and T 5 14.8x 1 725
where x is the number of years since 1985. Write a function for the average
attendance per team from 1985 to 2003.

44. ★ TAKS REASONING The price p (in dollars) that a radio manufacturer is
able to charge for a radio is given by p 5 40 2 4x2 where x is the number (in
millions) of radios produced. It costs the company $15 to make a radio.
a. Write an expression for the company’s total revenue in terms of x.
b. Write a function for the company’s profit P by subtracting the total cost
to make x radios from the expression in part (a).
c. Currently, the company produces 1.5 million radios and makes a profit
of $24,000,000. Write and solve an equation to find a lesser number of
radios that the company could produce and still make the same profit.
d. Do all the solutions in part (c) make sense in this situation? Explain.

45. ★ TAKS REASONING Since 1990, overnight stays S and

total visits V (both in millions) to national parks can be
modeled by
S 5 20.00722x4 1 0.176x3 2 1.40x2 1 3.39x 1 17.6
V 5 3.10x 1 256
where x is the number of years since 1990. Write a
function for the percent of visits to national parks
that were overnight stays. Explain how you
constructed your function.
Joshua Tree National Park, California

46. CHALLENGE The profit P (in millions of dollars) for a DVD manufacturer can
be modeled by P 5 26x 3 1 72x where x is the number of DVDs produced
(in millions). Show that 2 million DVDs is the only production level for the
company that yields a profit of $96,000,000.

TAKS PRACTICE at classzone.com

M IXED R EVIEW FOR TAKS
REVIEW 47. TAKS PRACTICE James leaves his home to walk to school. Four minutes
TAKS Preparation later, his friend leaves her home to ride her bike to school. James averages
p. 66; 3 miles per hour and his friend averages 10 miles per hour. James and his
TAKS Workbook friend travel a combined total of 8 miles and arrive at school at the same
time. How long did it take James to walk to school? TAKS Obj. 10
A 34 min B 38 min
C 40 min D 44 min

REVIEW 48. TAKS PRACTICE What are the coordinates of the x-intercept of the graph of
Lesson 2.3; 2x 1 3y 5 15? TAKS Obj. 3
TAKS Workbook
F 15 , 0 15 , 0
1 2}
2 2 G 1}
2 2
H (0, 5) J (13, 0)

368 EXTRA PRACTICE for Lesson 5.5, p. 1014 ONLINE QUIZ at classzone.com