How do you know if the binomial is a factor of the polynomial?

Question

campbell_st · Answer

let the binomial be (x +a) then substitute x = -a into the polynomial.... if the value of the polynomial is zero after the substitution then (x + a) is a factor. This is called the factor theorem. 

e.g. is (x +3) a factor of P(x) = x^2 + 5x + 6

                          find     P(-3) = (-3)^2 + 5 (-3) + 6
                                                = 9 - 15 + 6
                                                 = 0

so (x + 3) is a factor

anonymous · Answer

Thanks, still don't understand this topic much, might do some more research on it.

campbell_st · Answer

you'll need to know Factor theorem, Remainder theorem, and polynomial division or synthetic division