Department of Education

Mathematics 10
REMAINDER THEOREM, FACTOR THEOREM
and RATIONAL ROOT THEOREM

First Quarter – Week 7

DR. FELISA G. BASIJAN

Writer

CRISTINE CAROLINE C. GRATIS, CHARISMA JOY S. LULU, BENELIN G.

RUMBAOA, EMALYN M. BALLONADO
Validators

DR. EMELITA D. BAUTISTA, ENGR. ROLANDO S. MULDONG,

JOSEPH D. NILO, KRYSTELLE R. DUMLAO Quality
Assurance Team members

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940
1
 In this lesson, you will learn a new method of finding the remainder when
a polynomial is divided by x – r. You will also learn a method of determining
whether x – r is a factor of a given polynomial.

As you go through this module, you are expected to:

1. Find the remainder when a polynomial is divided by another polynomial
using the Remainder Theorem.
2. Evaluate polynomials using substitution.
3. Determine whether (x-r) is a factor of a given polynomial.

Directions: Write the letter that best answer each question. Please take note of the
items/questions that you will not be able to answer correctly and revisit them as
you go through this module for self-assessment.

1. Evaluate: 2x-2y-2z for x=-1 y=-2 z=3

A. 4 B.-4 C. 6 D.-6
3 2
2. P(x)= x +7x -12x-3 ÷ x +3, what is the remainder?
A.60 B.65 C.69 D.70
4 3
3. Is 52 a remainder when 5x +2x -20x -6 is divided by x-2?
A.yes B. no C. maybe D. sometimes
2
4. The remainder when 2x -2x+x+1 is divided by x-4 is?
A.29 B.30 C.31 D.40
5. What is k in P(x)=x +4x -kx+1when x=-1, so that the remainder is 0?
3 2

A.2 B.-2 C.4 D.-4

2
6. Find P(5) in polynomial P(x)=4x -10x-21
A.29 B.30 C.-29 D.-30
3 2
7. In P(x)=2x -2x +3x-5, is x-1 a factor of P(x)?
A.yes B.no C. maybe D. sometimes
2
8. Determine if x-2 a factor of x +3x+6.
A.yes B.no C. maybe D. sometimes
9. Find the other factor if x+1 is one of the factors of the polynomial x3-
5x2-x+5.
A.(x-5) (x-1) B.(x+5) (x+1) C.(x-5) (x+1) D.(x+5)(x-2)
10.Which binomial is a factor of P(x)=x3+3x2-2x-8?
A.x-1 B.x+1 C.x-2 D.x+2
3 2
11.If x+1 is a factor of P(x)= x +7x -x-7, find the other factors?
A.(x+7)(x+1) B.(x-7)(x-1) C.(x+7)(x-1) D.(x-7)(x+1)
3 2
12.Determine the binomial factor of P(x)= x -6x +11x-6?
2
 A. x+1 B. x-1 C.x+6 D. x-6
3 2
13.If x-1 is a factor of P(x)=x -3x -x-3, find the other factors.
A.(x-3) (x+1) B.(x+3) (x-1) C.(x+3)(x+1) D. (x-3) (x-1)
3 2
14.If x+1 is a factor of P(x)=x +18x +kx+4, find the value of k?
A. k=-20 B. k=20 C. k=20 D. k=-20 15.
3 2
What is the value of k so that (x+2) is a factor of kx – 6x + 7x – 10?
A. -6 B. 6 C. 10 D. -10

Suppose that P(x) = x3 – 5x2 + 3x + 8 and q(x) = x-2. What will be the
remainder when P(x) is divided by q(x)?
By using synthetic division, we have the following array:
1 -5 3 8 2
2 -6 -6
1 -3 -3 2
The remainder is 2, which is the last number in the third row.
One important use of synthetic division is to find the remainder when a
polynomial P(x) is divided by x±r.
The remainder of a polynomial P(x) when divided by x ± r is given by the last
element or number on the last row in the process of synthetic division.

One way of finding the remainder when P(x) is divided by x± r is the remainder
theorem.
Remainder Theorem:
If the polynomial P(x) is divided by (x ± r), the remainder R is a constant and is
equal to P(r).
Thus, there are two ways to find the remainder when P(x) is divided by (x±r),
that is:

1. Use synthetic division, or

2. Calculate P(r).
Similarly, there are two ways to find the value of P(r):

1. Substitute r in the polynomial expression of P (r), or

2. Use synthetic division.
Examples:

1. Find the remainder when (3x2 - 4x + 7) is divided by (x-1) using the

remainder theorem.
P(x) = 3x2 - 4x + 7

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 P(1)= 3(1)2-4(1) +7

= 3 -4 + 7
= 10-4
P(1) = 6

Thus, the remainder is 6.

2. Find the remainder when x3 – 3x2 – 2x + 10 is divided by x + 2.

P(x) = x3 – 3x2 – 2x + 10

P(-2) = (-2)3 – 3(-2)2 – 2(-2) + 10

= -8 -12 +4 + 10

P(-2) = -6

Thus, the remainder is -6.

3. Find the value of k, so that 2x3- x2+ x +k divided by x-1, the

remainder is 0. Since the divisor is x-1, P(x) = P(1)=0

P(1) =2x3- x2+ x +k

0 = 2(1)3-(1)2+(1)+k

2–1+1+k=0
2+k=0
K = -2
Then, k = -2.
To check if the value of k is correct substitute it in the given polynomial.
2x3 – x2 + x + k = 0
2(1)3-(1)2+(1)+(-2) =0

2 -1 +1 -2 =0
0=0

Factor Theorem:
If r is a factor of P(x), which means P(r)= 0, then the remainder R is equal to
zero. Hence, (x±r) is a factor of P(x).
If (x±r) is a factor of P(x), then P(r) = 0, and hence r is a factor of P(x).
Furthermore, the polynomial P(x) has x±r as a factor if and only if P(r) = 0.
This is called the Factor Theorem.
Examples:

1. Show that (x-1) is a factor of 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2

Solution:
Using the Factor Theorem, we have:
P(x) = 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2
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 P(1) = 3(1)3 – 8(1)2 + 3(1) + 2

= 3 -8 + 3 + 2

=8–8

=0
Since P(1) = 0, then x-1 is a factor of 3x3 – 8x2 + 3x + 2.

2. Determine if x-5 is a factor of 3x3- 4x2 + 13x – 5.

Solution:
P(x) = 3x3- 4x2 + 13x – 5

P(5) = 3(5)3 – 4(5)2 + 13(5) – 5

= 3(125)-4(25) + 65– 5

= 375 – 100 + 65 – 5

= 440 – 105

P(5) = 335

Since P(5) ≠ 0, then x-5 is not a factor of 3x3- 4x2 + 13x – 5.

3. Find the value of k for which the binomial (x+4) is a factor of x4 + kx3-
4x2.

Solution:
If (x+4) is a factor of P(x)= x4 + kx3- 4x2 , we know from the Factor
Theorem that P(-4) = 0.

P(-4)= (-4)4 + k(-4)3- 4(-4)2 = 0

256 -64k – 64 = 0

192 – 64k = 0
-64k = -192
−64𝑘
=
−64

k=3
To check whether the answer is correct or not, use remainder
theorem or synthetic division to find if the remainder is 0.

Rational Root Theorem

If a polynomial P(x) = xn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + . . . + a1x + a0 has leading
coefficient of 1 and integral coefficients, then it is quite clear that each rational root
of P(x) is an integer that must be a factor of a0.

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 For the general case where the leading coefficient is not 1, the following
theorem gives all the possible rational roots.
Let anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + . . . + a1x + a0 = 0 be a polynomial equation of
𝑝 degree n. if , in lowest terms, is a rational root of the equation, then p
is a factor of
𝑞

a0 and q is a factor of an. This is the Rational Root Theorem.

Examples:

1. Find the rational roots of P(x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6.

Solution:
Since the leading coefficient is 1, the possible rational roots of P(x)
must be factors of 6. These are ±𝟏 , ±2 , ±𝟑 and ± 𝟔.

We use synthetic division to determine which of these numbers are the

actual roots of P(x).
Let us try 1
1 -4 1 6 1
1 -3 -2
1 -3 -2 4
Since the remainder is 4 , 1 is not a root.

Let us try 2

1 -4 1 6 2
2 -4 -6

1 -2 -3 0
Since the remainder is 0, 2 is a root. Thus, we can factor P(x) as
P(x) = x3 – 4x2 + x + 6 = (x-2) (x2 -2x-3)
Factoring the second expression, we get
x2 -2x-3 = (x-3)(x+1)

Therefore, the factored form of P(x) is (x-2) (x-3)(x+1).

Applying the zero-product property;
The rational roots are -1 , 2 and 3

A. Use the Remainder theorem to find the remainder R in each of the following.
1. 2x3- 2x2 + x + 1 ÷ x - 1

2. 5x4 + 2x3 – 20x – 6 ÷ x+2

3. 6x3 – x2 – 16x ÷ x-2

4. 4x4 + x2 + 6x + 2 ÷ x+2
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 5. 2x3 -3x2 + x ÷ x-1

B. Use the Factor Theorem to determine whether or not the first polynomial is a
factor of the second.

1. x-1 ; x2 + 2x + 5

2. x-1 ; x3 – x – 2

3. x-4 ; 2x3- 9x2+9x – 20

4. x-1 ; x3 – 2x2 + x – 2

5. x+3 ; 2x3+x2- 13x + 6

The Remainder Theorem states that if the polynomial P(x) is divided by (x-r),
the remainder R is a constant and is equal to P(r).
The factor theorem states that If r is a factor of P(x), which means P(r)= 0, then
the remainder R is equal to zero. Hence, (x-r) is a factor of P(x).
If a polynomial P(x) = xn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + . . . + a1x + a0 has leading
coefficient of 1 and integral coefficients, then it is quite clear that each rational root
of P(x) is an integer that must be a factor of a0.
Let anxn + an-1xn-1 + an-2xn-2 + . . . + a1x + a0 = 0 be a polynomial equation of
𝑝 degree n. if , in lowest terms, is a rational root of the equation, then p
is a factor of
𝑞

a0 and q is a factor of an. This is the Rational Root Theorem.

A. Find the remainder when the first polynomial is divided by the second
polynomial. Use the Remainder Theorem.
1. x3 – x2 + 6x – 9; x + 1

2. x4 + 2 – 5x2 + x; x – 3

3. 2x4 – 10 + 3x2; x – 4

4. x3 – 4x2 + 5x – 2; x – 1

5. x3 + 9x2 + 2x – 48; x + 8

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 B. Find the value of k so that the first polynomial is a factor of the second
polynomial.

1. x+ 3; 2x3 + kx2 + 11x + 6

2. x+2; 2x3 + 5x2 + kx – 2

3. x-2; kx3 + kx2 + kx – 42

4. x+1; x3 + kx2 + 8x + 5

5. x-3; x3 – kx2 + 3x - 2

Directions: Read each item carefully. Write down the letter that corresponds to the
correct answer.
1. Give the remainder when x3+7x2-12x-3 is divided x+3
A.23 B,33 C.43 D.53
2. What is P(-2) in a polynomial 2x3-x2+3x+5
A.9 B.-9 C.10 D.11
3. The remainder when x2-2 divided by x-1 is?
A. 0 B. 1 C. -1 D. 2
4. Find the value of k when 2kx2+3x -1is divided by x+1, so that the
remainder is 0?
A. 2 B.3 C.4 D.5
5. Determine the binomial factor of P(x)= x3-6x2+11x-6?
A. x+1 B. x-1 C.x+6 D. x-6
6. If x-1 is a factor of P(x)=x3-3x2-x-3, find the other factors.
A.(x-3)(x+1) B.(x+3)(x-1) C.(x+3)(x+1) D. (x-3)(x-1)

7. If x+1 is a factor of P(x)=x3+18x2+kx+4, find the value of k?

A. k=-20 B. k=20 C. k=20 D. k=-20

8. What is the value of k so that (x+2) is a factor of kx3 – 6x2 + 7x – 10?

A. -6 B. 6 C. 10 D. -10
9. In x2 – 36, one of the factors is x+6. What is the other factor?
A. x-9 B. x-6 C. x-4 D. x+6
10. Give the factors of x3+2x2-9x-18
A.(x-3)(x-1)(x+2) C.(x2-2)2(x-1) B.(x-3)2(x+2)(x-2)
D.(x+2)(x-1)(x-1)

11. The rational roots of P(x) = x3-4x2-7x+10 are

A. -1, 1, and 0 C. -2, 1 and 5
B. 1, -2 and -5/2 D. -1, 1 mult.

12. Determine the rational roots of the polynomial 3x3-3x2+x-1

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 A. -1/3, 1 and ½ C. -1/3, -1 and 2
B. -1/3 and 1 D. -1/3, -1 and 1

13. Give the polynomial whose factors are (x-3)(x+2)(x+1)(x-4)

A. x4-2x3-4x2+24 C.x4-4X+4x2-24 B.x4+2x3+4x2+24
4 3 2
D.x -4X -7X +22X+24

14. The rational roots of polynomial x3-6x2+11x-6 are

A. 3, 2 and 1 C. 3, -2 and 1
B. -3, -2 and -1 D. 1, 2, and -3

15. In x3-4x2+x-4, the factors are

A.(x2+1) (x-4) B.(x-4)(x-1)2 C.(x2-4)(x-1) D.(x2-1)(x-4)

References:
Learner’s Module for Mathematics (Grade 10), 2015, Department of Education,Phil.
Bernabe, Julieta G., et al. (2014), Our World of Math 10,Vibal Group,Inc.,Quezon City

Concepcion, Benjamin, et.al. (2004), Algebra with Recreational

Math,Ymas Publishing,Manila
Oronce,Orlando A..et.al,(2003),Exploring Mathematics,Rex Bookstore,Inc. Manila