How would you figure out if a binomial is a factor of a polynomial function?

Question

lgbasallote · Answer

divide the polynomial function by the binomial. If the remainder is 0, then the binomial is a factor of the polynomial function

anonymous · Answer

Oh! Okay!!

lgbasallote · Answer

or you can use the remainder theorem

given $$f(x) \div (x-a)$$

x- a is a factor IF $$f(a) = 0$$

anonymous · Answer

So my question was...  Is the binomial (x + 3) a factor of: x^3+4x^2+x-6? i would say yes because i divided i together and the remainder is 0 is this correct?

lgbasallote · Answer

= (-3)^3 + 4(-3)^2 + (-3) - 6

= -27 + 4(9) - 3 - 6

= -27 + 36 - 3 - 6

= -36 + 36

= 0

yup..it's a factor

anonymous · Answer

awesome! I feel really proud of myself :D Thanks again!

lgbasallote · Answer

welcome